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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



THE LIFE 

OF 

THE APOSTLE JOHN. 




BY REV. DANIEL SMITH, 

AUTHOR OF " THE PARENTS' FRIEND," " LIFE OF ELIJAH," 
" MOSES," " ELISHA," ETC. 



" This is true glory and repute, when God - 
Looking on earth, with approbation marks 
The just man, and divulges him through heaven 
To all his angels, who with true applause 
Recount his praise." 

REVISED BY THE EDITORS. 



9* 



NEW-YORK; 

PUBLISHED BY T. MASON AND G. LANE, 

For the Sunday School Union of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
at the Conference Office, 200 Mulberry-street. 

James Collord, Printer. 
1840. 



T35 24 55" 

.65 



fired according to act of Congress, in the year 1840, by 
Lane, in the Clerk's Office of the District 
of the Southern District of New-York. 



LIFE OF 

V> 

JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

X 

uJ 

3 

ADDRESS TO PARENTS AND TEACHERS. 

Those who may see fit to examine .this small 
volume, will perceive that with the history of 
John the writer has interwoven a considerable 
portion of that of the Saviour. If this be a 
digression from the strict line of biography, it 
is hoped that it will not be found an unprofitable 
one. But it may perhaps be doubted, whether 
in this instance it is any digression at all. It 
is only following John through the intensely 
interesting scenes of which he was an eye- 
witness, and which constituted the instruction 
and discipline of his discipleship. What he 
saw and heard formed his character, and trained 
him for his office as an apostle. Could a con- 
sistent history of his life be written, and those 
facts and events which determined his charac- 
ter be omitted ? 

One other point may deserve explanation. A 
few passages in this volume are similar to some 



6 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

in the writer's "Life of Peter;" and one or two 
are taken word for word from that work. The 
reason is, that Peter's history and John's are 
sometimes so blended that they cannot be sepa- 
rated. Both were actors amid the same scenes, 
and were engaged in the same transactions, and 
these transactions, moreover, were too important 
to be omitted in a life of either. Generally, 
however, where an event is described in the 
life of one it is either barely named, or lightly 
passed over in that of the other. " The agony," 
which both witnessed in the garden, is one of 
the chief exceptions to this remark. As that 
was an event not to be omitted in the life of 
John, and as the writer did not know that he 
could describe it better than he had done, it 
was copied verbatim from the " Life of Peter." 
It may be proper to add, that commentaries and 
dictionaries have contributed freely to the work. 

That God's blessing may attend this small 
volume, and that it may assist in making the 
most important record in existence, the New 
Testament, more loved and better understood 
by the young, is the prayer of their friend, 

D. S. 



LIFE OF 



JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



# 

CHAPTER L 

Johrfs parentage and early employment. 

Palestine is the land of wonders. While 
the traveller roams over its mountains and 
through its valleys, he finds almost every step 
of his pilgrimage rich with interesting associa- 
tions. " Here," says he to himself, as he gazes 
upon the lonely waters of the Dead Sea, " here 
stood the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, im- 
bowered in orchards and gardens, and sur- 
rounded with fields blooming in beauty and 
fragrance. This Jordan, which now rolls its 
rapid current before me, once rolled back upon 
itself while the hosts of Israel passed over upon 
dry ground. Here, in this plain, the patriarch 
Abraham pitched his tents, while his flocks were 
feeding in yonder peaceful vale. On this 
mountain David was hunted by Saul ; and on 
that, Moses and Elias appeared in glory, 
talking with Jesu$. By this Jericho Elisha 



b 



LIFE Or JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



healed the poisonous fountain, and Jesus opened 
the eyes of the blind Bartimeus." Such are 
some of the associations that cluster around 
the mind on visiting these hallowed spots ; but 
among them all, none are more interesting than 
those which arise on visiting the sea of Galilee, 
or lake of Gennesaret. On the shores of that 
beautiful sheet of water stood Capernaum, 
where our Lord made it his home, and where 
he so, often preached. From thence the eye 
wanders over the very spot where he calmed 
the temp&t, and said to the boisterous waves, 
Be still. 

On the shore of this lake stood the city of 
Bethsaida,* the birth-place of John and James, 
two of the twelve apostles. The parents of 
these sons were named Zebedee and Salome. 
Zebedee was a fisherman. The lake of Gen- 
nesaret, which was about sixteen miles in 
length, and from five to six miles in breadth, 
abounded in excellent fish, which found a ready 
sale in the towns and cities upon its shores. 
The employment of fishing was respectable, 

* Some suppose there were two cities by this name, 
one on the northern extremity of the lake, and the other 
on the western shore. Others suppose there was but 
the one at the northern extremity of the lake, and that 
it was called Bethsaida of Galilee, in reference to an 
ancient division of the country, which assigned the pro- 
vince of Gaulonitis, in which it stood, to Galilee. Jo- 
sephus calls one Judas, belonging to Gaulonitis, a 
Galilean, which shows that this province was some- 
times considered as a part of Galilee. The map of 
Palestine, published by the Sunday School Union of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, gives but one Bethsaida. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 9 

and numbers of families derived their chief 
support from it. 

We have no particular account of the cha- 
racter of Zebedee and Salome. Probably they 
were pious Jews, who attended the synagogue 
of Bethsaida, and taught their sons out of the 
law of Moses and the writings of the prophets. 
James and John, we may suppose, spent the 
early part of their lives as other boys would do 
under the same circumstances. Sometimes 
- they climbed the surrounding hills or wandered 
up the valley of the Jordan, and again they 
roamed on the shore of the lake, or sailed out 
with their father upon' the bosom of the smooth, 
clear waters. 

We find that most persons give early indica- 
tions of their future characters. Men are 
nothing but grown up boys, and boys are men 
in miniature. So we may presume that John, 
while yet in his boyhood, displayed those traits 
of native character by which he was afterward 
distinguished. A charm of loveliness, I doubt 
not, seemed to be thrown around him. His 
disposition was amiable, his person interesting, 
and his manners modest and engaging. While 
others delighted in rude and boisterous sports, 

" From concourse, noise, and strife, he ever fled, 
Nor cared to mingle in the clamorous fray." 

As to James, we have no such particular ac- 
count of him as to enable us to judge of his 
natural disposition. 

When the two sons of Zebedee became old 
enough, their father took them with him and 



10 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

began to learn them the art of fishing. This 
was beginning in the right way. There can 
be no real manliness, virtue, or independence, 
without industry. The Jews were so well 
aware of this, that the most wealthy persons 
among them trained up their sons to the know- 
ledge of some useful trade. It was a maxim 
with them " that he who did not learn his son 
to work, taught him to steal," and thus idleness 
was placed upon its true footing, as a crime 
against God and the community. 

In the fishing boats of the sea of Galilee 
John and James entered upon that training 
which assisted in preparing them for their fu- 
ture work. Their employment was one which 
developed their limbs and muscles, and gave 
them strength and vigour of constitution. It 
required skill, patience, and perseverance. 
Courage was also indispensable, for sudden 
storms of wind often came down upon the lake 
from the surrounding mountains, and lashed the 
billows into such foam and fury as threatened 
to swallow up every bark upon its surface. 
Generally, however, the life of a fisherman was 
not an unpleasant one. The scenery around 
the lake was beautiful. The air was soft and 
balmy. The waters in which they fished were 
pure and clear, and the fish that sported be- 
neath the silvery surface were excellent and 
abundant. Such was the occupation in which 
the boys of Zebedee were trained, and such the 
scenes amid which they were growing up to 
manhood. Their bodies were not enfeebled by 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



11 



luxury and indulgence, and their morals were 
not corrupted by dissipation, nor their minds by 
the ambition or envy of courts or palaces. They 
were assisting their parents in gaining an ho- 
nest living, and this is always a source of real 
pleasure to every virtuous child. 



CHAPTER II. 

John called to be a disciple of the Messiah. 

James and John had at length grown up to 
manhood, but they still continued with their 
father. As might be expected, they began to 
turn their attention to those subjects which were 
most thought of and talked about by their coun- 
trymen. Among these subjects there was one 
which excited universal interest. It furnished 
a topic of conversation at every fireside, and in 
almost every circle. It was discussed by the 
fishermen while their boats lay upon the bosom 
of the tranquil lake, and by the vine-dressers, as 
they sat under their shady bowers. It formed 
a principal theme of the schools, and excited 
deep interest in the courts and palaces of prin- 
ces and governors. This all-absorbing topic 
was the coming of the Messiah. He had 
long been the subject of promise and prophecy, 
Jacob, the father of the Jewish nation, had 
predicted his coming, while upon his death-bed ; 
the prophet Micah had foretold the place of his 



12 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



birth ;* Isaiah had prophesied of the miracles he 
should perform, such as opening the eyes of the 
blind, and unstopping the ears of the deaf, and 
raising the dead to life ; Daniel had specified 
the very time of his coming, and that time had 
now arrived : the whole nation, therefore, were 
raised to the highest pitch of expectation, and 
were eagerly looking for his appearance. 

While matters were in this state, news sud- 
denly spread through the country that a very 
extraordinary person had made his appearance 
at Bethabara, near the mouth of the Jordan. 
This was John, the son of Zacharias and Eli- 
zabeth, generally called John the Baptist.f 
The suddenness of his appearance, the singu- 
larity of his dress and manners, but much more 
the holiness of his life, the uncommon power 
of his eloquence, and the divine influence under 
which he spoke, drew multitudes to his minis- 
try. Among those who came together were 
several fishermen from the sea of Galilee, and 
John is supposed to have been one of the num- 
ber. He soon, however, learned that the new 
preacher was not the Messiah, but one sent 
before him to announce his approach. While 
he remained at Bethabara the Messiah made 
his appearance, and was pointed out by John 
the Baptist as the Lamb of God, who had come 
to take away the sin of the world. After this 

* Micah v, 2. 

t This name was given him on account of his bap- 
tizing great numbers of persons. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 13 

John returned to Bethsaida and resumed his 
former occupation. 

In the mean time, the person whom John the 
Baptist had pointed out as the Messiah began 
to visit the different towns and villages in Ju- 
dea. Wherever he went he preached in the 
synagogues ; and such an influence attended his 
words as struck his hearers with the greatest 
astonishment, and filled them with the deepest 
awe. 

" E'en when he ceased the listening audience hung 
In solemn silence on the preacher's tongue 
Still on their ears his soothing accents fell, 
As gushing waters from salvation's well." 

But the power of his preaching was not all. 
He began to perform such miracles, and work 
such wonders, as filled the land with his fame. 

While John and James, and their fellow 
fishermen, were musing upon these wonderful 
events, Jesus entered Galilee and approached 
Bethsaida. The brothers were one day in 
their boat with their father, washing and re- 
pairing their nets. As they were thus engaged, 
they heard a voice addressing them, and look- 
ing to the shore they saw the Messiah bidding 
them to follow him. James and John immedi- 
ately left their father with the hired servants 
and went after Jesus. Two other fishermen, 
named Andrew and Simon, had just before been 
called, so that Jesus had now with him four 
persons who afterward became apostles, 

It is pleasing to see the teachable and obedient 
dispositions of these disciples. They had all 



14 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

the endearments of home and friendship to bind 
them to the delightful spot where they had 
spent their childhood. They might have 
pleaded attachment to their aged parents, and 
their desire to remain and comfort them in their 
declining years ; they might have stopped to 
inquire whether Jesus had any home for them, 
or any money for their support, or what he 
wished to employ them about; but we hear of 
no excuses or inquiries : Jesus calls, and they 
obey. They cheerfully forsake all, and follow 
a Master who could say, "The foxes have 
holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but 
the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." 

James and John now followed the Saviour as 
he went about preaching in various parts of the 
country. They listened to his heavenly teach- 
ings, saw his miracles, and became more and 
more convinced that he was indeed the Mes- 
siah. At length they seem to have returned to 
the same region, and we have another account 
of a scene upon the lake shore * It would ap- 
pear that Simon and Andrew, and James and 
John had, for a supply of their present necessi- 
ties, resorted for a little while to their former 
employment. As they were one morning en- 
gaged upon the shore in washing their nets, Je- 
sus drew near, followed by a multitude of people. 
These persons had heard of his teachings and 

* Some are of opinion that both accounts relate to 
the transactions of the same day. This, however, does 
not seem so probable as the supposition that they were 
entirely different transactions. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 15 

miracles, and had come together from various 
quarters to see and hear the wonderful in- 
structer. Seeing himself surrounded by the 
eager multitude, Jesus stepped into a boat 
which belonged to Simon, and requested him to 
push out a little from the land. Simon did so, 
and he addressed the listening throng that lined 
the shore. When he had finished his discourse, 
he told Simon to launch out into the deep and 
let down the net for fish. Simon replied, " Mas- 
ter, we have toiled all night and have caught 
nothing ; nevertheless, at thy word I will let 
down the net." They had no sooner cast their 
net than they found it had enclosed so large a 
number of fish as to be in danger of breaking. 
They then called to James and John to come 
with their boat and help in bringing their prize 
to land ; but it was so great that both the boats 
were filled, and were in danger of sinking. Si- 
mon, who was well acquainted with the fishing 
business, saw that this was no common event. 
The fish, which had all night long remained in 
their secure haunts, had now come forth at the 
secret bidding of their Lord. He was over- 
awed. He felt himself to be in the presence 
of a superior being, and as soon as he reached 
the shore fell down at the feet of Jesus, exclaim- 
ing, " Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O 
Lord. 91 Jesus kindly calmed his fears by say- 
ing, " Fear not ; from henceforth thou shalt catch 
men." 

This was very encouraging to all these dis- 
ciples. They were about to be employed in a 



16 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

higher calling than the fishing trade, but it was 
one beset with difficulties and dangers. If 
they had only themselves to depend upon they 
might toil all their lives without converting a 
single soul, but Jesus assures them of success. 
They have only to follow his directions, and, 
launching out in his name into the great world, 
the gospel net shall enclose a great multitude 
of precious souls. So we shall find it after- 
ward proved. James and John, Simon and An- 
drew, went out through the cities and villages 
preaching the gospel to perishing sinners, and 
God gave them great success. Many believed 
and turned to the Lord. 



CHAPTER III. 

Character of John's instructer — The two miracles — 
John constituted an apostle — The sermon on the mount. 

John and his fellow-disciples, James, An- 
drew, and Simon, were now most of the time 
with Jesus. As yet they knew very little of 
what was before them, but their Master knew, 
and began gradually to prepare them for their 
great work. They were his disciples, or learn- 
ers, and every thing they saw and heard form- 
ed a lesson of instruction. Picture to your 
mind a Master whose every word is full of hea- 
venly wisdom, whose countenance beams with 
kindness, and whose soul is a fountain of bene- 
volence ; one who is never ruffled by passion, 



LIFE OP JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



17 



or at a loss for a single instant respecting what 
he shall say or do. He knows perfectly the 
characters of all who approach him ; he never 
mistakes, never utters a wrong word, or a word 
that comes at the wrong time. He knows not 
only all that people say, but all that they think 
or feel, and can address himself to their thoughts 
or tempers of mind as readily as he can reply 
to their words. He always checks what is 
wrong in these disciples, and encourages every 
thing that is right. Followed by them, he goes 
from village to village, and from city to city, 
preaching and teaching the things which con- 
cern the kingdom of God. Wherever he goes, 
listening multitudes hang upon his lips, and 
throngs come out to meet him. Some come to 
cavil and dispute, and are put to silence with 
the utmost ease. Others come with the lan- 
guage of flattery upon their lips, while their 
hearts are full of malice. With calm and dig- 
nified severity, the guise is torn off, and the 
hypocrite stands unmasked and exposed before 
the whole multitude. Then, again, the sick, 
the lame, the blind, and the palsied, are brought 
by weeping, imploring friends ; and by a word 
or touch they are restored to perfect health. 
The lame "leap up in grateful ecstasies." the 
blind open their eyes and look around with 
wonder and delight, the palsied gaze upon their 
restored limbs, and can hardly believe their 
senses, while hundreds of tongues unite to pour 
their blessings upon the head of this heavenly 
benefactor. Such is a very faint picture of the 



18 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



school of instruction which John and his fel- 
low-disciples had entered. I say this is but a 
faint picture, and it is so, because it is general, 
because so many things are crowded together 
in a small compass. To give us a more clear 
and definite impression of the scenes they wit- 
nessed, the apostles in their writings sometimes 
descend to particulars. Following their ex- 
ample, we may occasionally introduce a few of 
these particular instances. 

Among many others, two occurred not long 
after John began to follow Jesus. The first 
was the case of a man afflicted with the lepro- 
sy. This is one of the most terrible diseases 
which a human being can suffer. It com- 
mences internally, and often lies concealed for 
years, or is secretly spreading before there is 
any outward indication of it. After it breaks 
out, the sufferer often lingers for years before 
it reaches its crisis, and then years often elapse 
after this before death comes to the patient's 
relief. The bones and the marrow are per- 
vaded by the disease, the joints crack, and 
sometimes the fingers, &c, fall off ; the skin 
is diseased all over, and the sufferer presents 
the most deformed and loathsome aspect. 

It was such an object that was seen approach- 
ing the Saviour. Falling down before him, he 
cried out, " Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make 
me clean !" The benevolent heart of Jesus 
was touched by this moving appeal. He im- 
mediately put forth his hand and touched him, 
saying, " / will ; be thou clean. 11 The man then 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



19 



arose, and behold what a change ! His un- 
sightly deformities were gone, the restored skin 
was soft and fresh, the pure blood once more 
coursed through the veins ; the eye had reco- 
vered its fire, and the blush of health bloomed 
upon his cheek. 

The second miracle alluded to was the cure 
of a paralytic, or person afflicted with palsy. 
This is a disease which deprives the part af- 
fected of feeling, or the power of motion, or 
both. There is frequently a contraction or 
shortening of the muscles, so that the limbs 
can neither be drawn up nor stretched out, and 
they soon become wasted and withered. It 
often affects the speech and impairs the reason, 
and in this most melancholy condition the suf- 
ferer lingers for years. 

There is, besides this, another fearful disease 
called palsy in eastern countries. The limbs 
remain immoveably fixed in the position they 
were in at the time of the attack, and the suf- 
fering is so intense that death often follows in 
a few days. 

While Jesus was in a house in Capernaum, 
a person afflicted with one or the other species 
of this disease was seen approaching, borne 
by four of his friends. But when the company 
arrived at the place, they found the house so 
crowded, and the avenues so completely filled, 
that they could not gain access. Jesus was 
probably in the part called the court, which 
was an open space in the centre, and surround- 
ed on the four sides by the building. 



20 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTXE. 



These courts were common to eastern houses, 
and were often paved with marble, and furnish- 
ed with fountains of water. A covering was 
spread over them to shut out the beams of the 
sun. 

Finding it impossible to bring the sick man 
before the Saviour in any other way, his com- 
panions carried him up to the flat roof of the 
house, and removing the covering from a part 
of the court, they took cords and let his couch 
down into the midst of the assembly. Jesus 
was much pleased at beholding this evidence 
of faith. But he knew what was of far greater 
importance to the sick man than the cure of his 
palsy. He knew also that he was penitent, 
and desirous of obtaining the pardon of his 
sins. He accordingly turned to him and said, 
" Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven 
thee." Sitting by were several scribes and 
Pharisees, who said in their hearts, " This man 
blasphemeth. Who can forgive sins but God 
alone V 9 Jesus knew as perfectly what was 
passing in their minds, as he now knows what 
is passing in yours and mine, and every other 
person's. Addressing himself to their secret 
thoughts, he said, " Why do ye think evil in 
your hearts ? Which is easier, to say, Thy 
sins be forgiven thee ; or to say, Arise, take up 
thy bed and walk? But that ye may know 
that the Son of man hath power on earth to 
forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the 
palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy 
bed, and go thy way into thy house." In a 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



21 



moment the sick man was restored to perfect 
health. His withered limbs and shrunken 
muscles were rilled with new life, and he who 
before could no more walk a step than he could 
make a new world, rose up before them all, 
and departed, bearing his couch and glorifying 
God. 

Here were three evidences that Jesus was 
indeed the Son of God. First, he forgave the 
man's sins; then he showed his hearers that he 
understood even the very thoughts of their hearts ; 
and, thirdly, he healed the paralytic by a single 
word. By the last two acts he proved to all 
present that he had power to perform the first; 
for he who can understand the thoughts of the 
heart, and remove disease by a word, is God ; 
and can, by the same power, free the soul from 
its guilt. 

Such were the scenes which John and his 
fellow-disciples witnessed, and which were 
intended to establish their confidence in Jesus 
as the true Messiah, to show them that his doc- 
trines were true, and that he had right and au- 
thority to establish a religion for the world. 

As Jesus intended to leave the world after 
he had completed the business for which he 
came into it, he wished the truths which he 
taught to be recorded and published. It was 
necessary, therefore, that there should be wit- 
nesses, who should hear these truths, and be- 
hold the evidences by which they were esta- 
blished. It was necessary, in short, that there 
should be a history of his life and doctrines, 



22 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



written by persons who had been constantly 
with him. John was to be one of these wit- 
nesses, and one who should publish such a his- 
tory. Besides him, Jesus called eleven others, 
making twelve in all; just as many as there 
were tribes in the Israelitish nation. These 
he called Apostles, or Messengers. Their 
names are given us in order in the tenth 
chapter of St. Matthew's gospel. 

1. Simon Peter: 

2. Andrew : 

3. James, son of Zebedee : 

4. John, his brother : 

5. Philip : 

6. Bartholomew : 

7. Matthew, or Levi : 

8. Thomas : 

9. James or Cleopas, son of Alpheus : 

10. Jude, Thaddeus, or Lebbeus : 

11. Simon Zelotes : 

12. Judas Iscariot. 

The manner in which the Saviour constituted 
these men apostles was solemn and affecting. 
He went out the evening previous upon a moun- 
tain, and here, amid the falling dews of evening, 
and the solemn stillness which reigned around, 
continued all night in prayer to God. This he 
did, in part at least, as an example to his disci- 
ples. They were about to be employed in a 
great and most important work; one which 
would require much help from above. Such 
help they could have only by earnest and per- 
severing prayer; and here their Master set 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 23 

them a most affecting example. It was an ex- 
ample, too, that served to show them the mag- 
nitude and importance of the work about to be 
committed to them. What could impress them 
more deeply and solemnly with this, than to 
know that their Master had been all night upon 
the lonely mountain, seeking for them those sup- 
plies of grace which they would so much and 
so constantly need ? 

In the morning Jesus called his disciples to 
him, and then chose the twelve out of their 
number, and set them apart for their great work. 
He gave them authority to go forth* and preach 
his gospel, offering repentance and forgive- 
ness to all who would receive it. That all 
might know he had sent them, he gave them 
power to work miracles in his name, to heal 
the sick, and to perform such works as they 
had seen him perform. To James and John he 
gave the name of Boanerges, which signifies 
sons of thunder. This did not refer to the 
manner of their preaching, which was far from 
being of the boisterous character, and was in- 
deed exactly the reverse, being calm and sweetly 
persuasive. They were called sons of thunder, 
doubtless, because of the great and rapid suc- 
cess of their ministry. Their inspired preach- 
ing and miraculous powers, like an earthquake, 

* It is supposed to have been some time after this 
that they went out on the first missionary tour which 
they took unaccompanied by their Master, as recorded 
in Matthew x. 



24 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



or like thunder, carried a mighty sway and bore 
down opposition. 

It is supposed to have been just after the 
choosing of the twelve apostles that Jesus de- 
livered that beautiful discourse, called " The 
Sermon on the Mount" With what interest 
must John have listened to this, the most mas- 
terly and sublime discourse ever delivered ! The 
Great Teacher occupied the summit of the 
mount. Around him sat the listening multitude. 
Before them, we may suppose, was spread out 
the lovely vale, adorned with fruits and flowers. 
Over their heads was the blue sky. The whole 
formed a temple of beauty and grandeur, finely 
adapted to the subject and the occasion. Some 
parts of this admirable sermon seemed exactly 
suited to the condition of the apostles. They 
had little or nothing of this world, no inherit- 
ance in the earthly Canaan ; but their Master 
still pronounces them blessed, assuring them of 
an eternal home in heaven. They were about 
to encounter the most furious storms of perse- 
cution. How comforting then the language, 
" Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, 
and persecute you, and shall say all manner of 
evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, 
and be exceeding glad ; for great is your reward 
in heaven : for so persecuted they the prophets 
which were before you." 

Had they any fears of want or privation ? 
" Behold," says Jesus, " the fowls of the air : 
[which perhaps were just then flying over their 
heads :] for they sow not, neither do they reap. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



25 



nor gather into barns ; yet your heavenly Father 
feedeth them. Are ye not much better than 
they ?" 

And again : " Why take ye thought [unne- 
cessary and perplexing anxiety] for raiment 1 
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow ; 
they toil not, neither do they spin ; and yet, I 
say unto you, that even Solomon, in all his glory, 
was not arrayed like one of these." " It is 
natural to presume," says Sir J. E. Smith, "that 
the Divine Teacher, according to his usual cus- 
tom, called the attention of his hearers to some 
object at hand. Now as the fields of that coun- 
try are overrun with that species of the lily 
called amaryllis hitea, whose golden lilaceous 
flowers afford one of the most brilliant and gor- 
geous objects in nature, the expression, Solomo?i 
in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these 3 
is peculiarly appropriate." 



CHAPTER IV. 

A storm on the lake — Winds and waves confess 
Jesus as their Lord— Miracle in Gadara. 

It has been already remarked that the lake 
of Gennesaret was subject to sudden and vio- 
lent storms. There was one circumstance which 
rendered these storms truly appalling. The 
Jordan with a strong current flowed through 
the centre of the lake from north to south 



26 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



When the storm came sweeping down the 
mountains from the south-east, and set up 
against the current of the Jordan, it raised a 
most boisterous sea, threatening destruction to 
the small vessels which might be so unfortunate 
as to encounter the gale. 

It was the lot of John and his fellow-disci- 
ples to be caught in one of these sudden gusts 
in the midst of the lake. Jesus had been fol- 
lowed by a great multitude, to whom he had 
doubtless been preaching the word of God. He 
now wished for a little retirement, and besides, 
did not wish to excite the jealousy of the govern- 
ment by keeping such crowds together for too 
long a time. Accordingly, he entered into a 
vessel with the disciples to cross the lake. 
They had passed out some distance from the 
land when suddenly the tempest arose. The 
careering winds came sweeping over their frail 
bark, and the waves rose in wild commotion. 
The vessel reeled amid the contending billows, 
which threatened every moment to swallow it 
up. Jesus was at this time asleep in the hinder 
part of the ship. At first the disciples did not 
awake him. But at length, as the storm in- 
creased, and the vessel began to fill with water, 
they ran to him, crying out, " Lord, save us : we 
perish." He arose, and gently reproved them 
for their great fear and little faith. " Why" 
said he, " are ye so fearful, O ye of little faith ?" 
He then calmly rebuked the winds and the 
waves, saying, " Peace, be still." In a mo- 



LIFE OF JOHN THE ArOSTLE. 



27 



ment the wind ceased, the waves sunk down 
into repose, and all was calm. 

John and his companions were filled with 
wonder and awe. They said one to another, 
" What manner of being or person is this, that 
even the winds and the sea obey him . ? ' 5 

What a blessed privilege to have such a 
Master ! He can deliver from the most alarm- 
ing dangers, and save in the greatest perils. 
We have only to secure his favour, and all is 
well. We may be encompassed by winds 
and waves, and yet we are safe. Not that we 
are always to expect our lives will be pre- 
served. Many who have followed the Saviour 
have been called to give up their lives. The 
waters have swallowed up some, the flames 
have consumed others. Some have pined in 
dungeons, some have been devoured by wild 
beasts, and others have perished upon racks 
and under tortures. But they have only passed 
through these short trials to exchange earth for 
heaven. And what matter is it whether the 
body sleeps in the tomb, or lies upon the coral 
beds of the sea ; whether it is consumed by 
fire, or moulders in a coffin ? Jesus can call it 
forth as readily from the bosom of the deep as 
from the sepulchre hewn in the rock ; or from 
the ashes of its fires as from its dusty grave. 
Dear reader, make Jesus your friend, become 
his disciple, and all is well. To live is Christ, 
and to die is gain. 

On the eastern shore of the lake was a city 



28 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



called Gergesa, and farther south another, 
named Gadara. The people inhabiting them 
were called Gergasenes and Gadarenes. Af- 
ter Jesus had calmed the tempest, he and his 
disciples went forward and landed in the neigh- 
bourhood of these cities. As they approached 
Gergesa, they were met by two persons that 
were possessed by evil spirits. The minds of 
all sinners are " led captive by Satan at his will" 
He and his emissaries tempt and excite them 
to wickedness, and they willingly follow on to 
commit it. But even the bodies of some have 
been under the influence of fallen spirits. At 
the time our Saviour was upon earth, these 
spirits of darkness seem to have been per- 
mitted to exert their power and malice to the 
utmost, both on the minds and bodies of men. 
This was probably allowed, that his power over 
them might be made the more strikingly ma- 
nifest. 

These two possessed persons who met our 
Lord had their dwelling in the tombs, which, 
among the ancients, were often spacious exca- 
vations in the rocks. Mr. Light, a modem 
traveller, who visited Gergesa, observes that 
" the tombs still exist in the form of caverns 
in the sides of the hills that rise from the lake, 
and have an extremely wild appearance. They 
extend to a distance of more than a mile from 
the present town." These men appear to have 
been driven to these dreary and dismal soli- 
tudes by the wicked spirits who actuated them. 
They are said to have been " exceeding fierce" 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



29 



and a terror to the whole region. Their friends 
had often endeavoured to confine them, and had 
bound them with chains and fetters ; but they 
had broken their bonds and again escaped to 
their dreary abodes. One of them seems to 
have been more fierce and wild than the other, 
and often cut himself with sharp stones. 

As Jesus approached, the evil spirits, using* 
the vocal organs of the possessed, cried out, 
" What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou 
Son of God ? art thou come hither to torment 
us before the time ?" They feared, and were 
troubled at the presence of Christ, and dreaded 
some signal punishment before the time; that is, 
before the day of judgment, when evil spirits 
and wicked men will receive their final sen- 
tence. 

There was at this time at some distance a 
herd of about two thousand swine feeding. 
Though the Jews were forbidden to eat the 
flesh of these animals, yet for gain, the baser 
sort of persons would raise them to sell to 
foreigners, and this was probably the case in 
the present instance, as this part of the coun- 
try was the residence of many Gentiles. 

The demons besought Jesus that if he ex- 
pelled them from the men they might enter the 
swine. Perhaps he influenced them to make 
this request, in order to punish the degenerate 
Jew r s who kept the swine. Others, however, 
suppose that they wished to prevent the mira- 
cle of casting them out of the men from hav- 
ing any good effect upon the inhabitants of the 



30 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



place, and to make Christ odious to that 
wicked people. Whatever was their design, 
he granted their request, not only because it 
would make the miracle more public, but be- 
cause it would prove the reality of the posses- 
sion, and show how great was the power of evil 
spirits, and how terrible the effects of their 
malice would be, if they were not restrained. 
For no sooner was the permission given than 
the keepers, who were with the swine, and the 
disciples, who were at a distance, beheld, to 
their great astonishment, the whole herd run- 
ning furiously down the mountains, and leaping 
from the tops of the rocks into the sea, where 
the whole two thousand were drowned. At 
the same instant the men, before so wild, fierce, 
and malignant, became suddenly meek and 
composed, and sat down at the feet of Jesus.* 

The keepers of the swine instantly fled, and 
reported the affair in the city, which brought 
the people out in a body to see what was done. 
When they came and saw the men, particularly 
the one who had been so remarkable for his 
fierceness, clothedf and in his right mind, and 
saw also that the report concerning the swine was 
true, they were greatly astonished and alarmed. 
They probably considered the destruction of 
the swine as a punishment for their violation 
of the law, and feared other judgments ; and 
not being disposed to repent of their sins, they 

* See Macknight. 

t The disciples probably gave him such garments as 
they could spare. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



31 



besought him who had come to bless them to 
depart out of their coasts. 

The devils had entreated Jesus not to send 
them out of the country. No wonder they desired 
to remain among a people who urged the 
world's Redeemer to depart, and who prized 
their swine more than they did their souls. 
Alas ! how many are of the same mind, 

The man, however, who had been the terror 
of the people and of himself, was now of a 
different spirit. As Jesus turned with a mourn- 
ful heart from these sinful people, he followed 
him, and earnestly besought him that he might 
go with him. 

In mercy to them the Saviour refused his 
request. He told him to return among his 
friends, and tell them what great things God 
had done for him. He did so, publishing through 
the whole city the wonder-working power and 
the great goodness of Jesus. In the mean time 
the disciples and their Master entered their ves- 
sel and returned to Capernaum. 



CHAPTER V. 
Jairus's daughter restored to life. 

On his return, Jesus was greeted by a large 
concourse of people, who had been anxiously 
waiting for him. He immediately began to 
preach to them. While he was thus engaged, 
a person was seen making his way through 



32 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



the crowd, and approaching the Divine Teacher. 
This was Jairus, one of the rulers of the syna- 
gogue ; but who can describe his feelings! Pic- 
ture to yourself a father whose heart is the 
home of a tender and refined sensibility. He 
has one only daughter, his joy and delight. He 
and her tender mother have watched by the 
cradle of her infancy, carried her in their arms, 
and pillowed her upon their bosoms. From 
them she has learned to lisp her first accents ; 
by them she has been led forth among the flow- 
ers of spring and the green bowers of summer. 
She has already reached her twelfth year, and 
is fast verging on to womanhood. 

But alas ! while her parents' fond hearts are 
beating high with anticipation, death marks 
her for his victim. With feelings which only 
parents can know, they see the rose fading from 
her cheek, and mark the steady progress of 
disease. The healing art is tried in vain; the 
disorder refuses to relinquish its grasp, and life 
is fast ebbing out. Methinks I hear the fond 
mother exclaiming :— 

w My child, and must thou go ! and shall I hear 
The gentle voice no more that blest mine ear 
With its first utterance ? I shall miss the sound 
Of thy light step amid the flowers around, 
And thy soft breathing hymn at twilight's close, 
And thy 'good night' at parting for repose. 
Under the vine leaves I shall sit alone, 
And the low breeze will have a mournful tone 
Amidst their tendrils, while I think of thee, 
My child." 

While the agonized parents were thus watch- 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 33 

ing the fleeting breath of this dear and only 
child, the news reached them that Jesus had 
returned to Capernaum. Hope once more re- 
vived ; Jairus left the bedside of his dying 
daughter, and sought the compassionate Sa- 
viour. Pressing through the crowd he fell 
down at the feet of Jesus, entreating him to 
come to his house. " My little daughter," said 
he, " lieth at the point of death, [if not already 
dead,] but come and lay thine hands on her, 
and she shall live." Jesus immediately arose 
and followed him. But as they went, such a 
multitude gathered around them that it was dif- 
ficult to proceed. They halted for a moment, 
and a woman who had been afflicted for about 
twelve years, and had in vain spent all she had 
in seeking relief from physicians, succeeded in 
getting near enough to touch the hem of Jesus's 
garment. In an instant she was made whole ; 
Jesus knew perfectly what had passed, but that 
the whole company might see and believe, he 
turned about and said, " Who touched me ?" 
This excited attention, and one and another 
said they had not. Peter thought it was 
very strange that his Master should ask who 
touched him, when he was in the midst of such 
a crowd, and perhaps fifty persons had touched 
him. " Why, Master," said he, " thou seest 
the multitude thronging thee, and say est thou, 
Who touched me ?" Jesus replied, " Some- 
body hath touched me, for I perceive that vir- 
tue is gone out of me." The woman then 
came, fearing and trembling, and fell down be- 
3 



34 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

fore him and confessed the whole truth. " And 
he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort, 
thy faith hath made thee whole ; go in peace." 

Just at this moment some messengers arrived 
and told Jairus that he need not trouble Jesus 
to go any farther, as it was too late, for his 
daughter was already dead. Jesus did not suf- 
fer this sad news to distress him long. " Be not 
afraid, only believe," said he. 

When they came to the door of the house, 
the Saviour suffered none of them to go in but 
John, and James, and Peter. In the house he 
found a great tumult. 

The people of Asia were in the habit of in- 
dulging their passions of joy or grief in the 
most excessive manner. " This is exactly their 
genius to the present day. Their sentiments 
of joy or grief are properly transports, and 
their transports are so ungovemed and exces- 
sive as scarcely to know any bounds. When 
any one dies, or even returns from a long jour- 
ney, his family burst into cries that may be 
heard twenty doors off. Sometimes they cease 
all at once, and then begin as suddenly with a 
greater shrillness and loudness than one can 
well imagine."* 

Jesus found some of the people indulging in 
these loud transports of grief, and besides a 
company of hireling mourners, who, accord- 
ing to the custom of the times, had come to 
lead the funeral dirge, that is, to make mourn- 
ful music upon instruments, and sing in similar 
* Sir John Chardin. 



LIFE OF JOHX THE APOSTLE. 



35 



strains. The Saviour requested them to be 
calm, and let the noise cease. " Weep not," 
said he, " for the damsel is not dead, but sleep- 
eth." These terms were used figuratively, sig- 
nifying that she was not finally and hopelessly 
dead, but soon to be awakened to life. The 
minstrels or hired mourners, supposing him to 
mean that she had only fallen asleep, " laughed 
him to scorn." As these persons were not in 
a suitable state of mind to witness the miracle, 
Jesus sent them away; and then, with the three 
disciples, and the father and mother of the child, 
he entered the room where she lay. 

A breathless silence ensues. Jairus gazes 
upon the pale countenance and motionless form 
before him ; he had hoped to bring the Saviour 
to the bedside of his daughter before the spirit 
fled, but it is gone. Now is the time for the 
trial of his faith. He looks — will the flush of 
health again bloom upon that marble cheek % 
will those eyes ever again open 1 will the de- 
parted spirit indeed return, and that endeared 
child once more look up and smile upon her 
fond parents ? " Onlv believe," Jairus, and it 
* shall be done. 

Jesus takes hold of her hand, and calmly 
says, " Damsel, arise." Instantly the depart- 
ed spirit returns, and reanimates the lifeless 
body, and the transported parents embrace their 
living child. 

Methinks the first thing that this dear child 
did was to inquire after her deliverer. Would 
she not eagerly ask who he was ; where he 



36 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



came from ; what was his business in the 
world ; and what were the truths he taught ? 
Would she not say at once, "/ will be his disci- 
ple?" And would not her father and mother 
unite with her, and all together become the fol- 
lowers of Jesus ? We cannot but hope they 
did, and that they are now with him in paradise. 

Perhaps my young reader exclaims, " O that 
I could have lived in the days when the Saviour 
was upon earth; could have listened to his 
teachings, and beheld his works ! I too would 
have been his disciple." Would you indeed ? 
Are you sincere in this ? Then come and be 
his disciple. He calls, he bids you come. And 
if you will, he will do far more for you than 
he did for Jairus's daughter. He raised her from 
the dead, it is true ; but she died again. Her 
body w r as reanimated, but it was still a mortal 
body, and is now mouldering in the tomb. But 
he will raise vou in a far more glorious manner. 
Your body may sleep a while in the dust, and 
then it shall hear the voice of the archangel, 
and the sound of the trump of God ; and hear- 
ing, it shall live. Yes, it shall start forth from 
the slumbers of the tomb, full of immortal life 
and vigour, and so shall be ever with the Lord. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



37 



CHAPTER VI. 

Cure of the two blind men — John and his compa- 
nions sent out to preach. 

While Jesus was still in Capernaum with 
his disciples, they were followed by two blind 
men. Blindness is a dreadful disease, more 
dreadful than we can well imagine. Fancy 
yourself shut out from all the fair scenes which 
surround you, and shut up in one unending 
night. The rosy light of morning breaks in 
the east, and the young day comes in rejoicing, 
but not for you. Spring returns, the buds swell, 
the leaves put forth, and flowers bedeck the 
fields, the rainbow spans the sky with its bril- 
liant arch, the clouds are fringed with golden 
light; but all is blank to you. While others 
read and enjoy the feast of reason, you sit in 
darkness and solitude. You cannot even look 
upon the face of father, mother, or sister ; and 
the eye or the smile of beauty is never lighted- 
up for you. Such was the condition of these 
poor men. They had long been hopelessly 
shut up in the solitude of darkness. But strange 
news had saluted their ears. Some friend or 
neighbour had come in, and begun to tell of a 
wonderful stranger who had come to Caper- 
naum. Why, he had cured the palsy, he had 
healed the leprosy, and all manner of diseases 
fled at his rebuke. The blind men listened ; 
hope sprung up in their hearts ; they took up 



38 



LIFE 01 JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



their staves and groped their way to find this 
compassionate and wonder-working man. Just 
then they were told that he was passing by. 
Immediately they cried out, " Thou son of David, 
have mercy on us." To try their faith Jesus 
permitted them to follow him, while he still kept 
on and entered the house. They were in good 
earnest, and followed him in, still pressing their 
suit. " Believe ye that I am able to do this ?" 
said he. " Yea, Lord," they replied. Then 
touched he their eyes, saying, " According to 
your faith, so be it unto you." Immediately 
their eyes were opened, and they saw all things 
clearly. 

Jesus then said to them, " See that no man 
know it." Two reasons have been given for this 
command. First, that he had already wrought a 
sufficient number of miracles in Capernaum to 
convince all who sincerely desired to know the 
truth : and that to add to the number would be 
likely to produce a malicious resentment in 
those whose state of heart had indisposed them 
to be influenced by the clearest evidence. Se- 
condly, though the leading men might oppose 
him, still the tide of popular feeling, being in 
his favour, might lead the multitude to proclaim 
him as their civil prince, instead of receiving 
him as their spiritual Saviour. 

But in the excess of their feelings these men 
who had been restored to sight violated the 
command. They " departed and spread abroad 
his fame in all that country." 

SjGwan after this, John followed his Master on 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 39 

an extensive missionary tour through the cities 
and villages of the country. They found the 
people in a most deplorable state, deeply sunk- 
en in spiritual ignorance and in sin. Their 
professed teachers were generally men who 
knew nothing of true, heartfelt piety. Their 
religious views were low and worldly, and they 
were proud, idle, and unconcerned about the 
souls of their hearers. It is afTectingly record- 
ed, that when Jesus saw the multitudes, he was 
moved with compassion for them, because they 
fainted, and were as sheep having no shepherd. 
Turning at one time from the mournful picture 
before him, he said to John and his fellow-dis- 
ciples, " The harvest truly is plenteous, but the 
labourers are few ; pray ye therefore the Lord 
of the harvest, that he would send forth [more] 
labourers into his harvest." 

He then called the twelve by themselves and 
gave them the solemn charge found in the tenth 
chapter of St. Matthew's gospel, after which 
he sent them out through the different towns 
and villages to preach the word of God. This 
he did to supply as far as might be a spiritual 
and faithful ministry to the thousands who were 
perishing in their sins. 

My dear reader, have you ever considered 
your own great and precious privileges % You 
have not only the teachings of Jesus which 
John and others of his disciples have written, 
down for you, but you have the privilege of 
living in a country where the pure gospel is 
preached in every city, and almost every vii- 



40 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



lage. It cannot be said of those who live in 
this land of Bibles, of churches, and revivals 
of religion, that they are as sheep scattered 
abroad, having no shepherd. No; the lines 
have fallen unto us in pleasant places, and God 
has given us a goodly heritage. We are taught 
the words of Jesus in the sabbath school and 
from the pulpit, by our parents and in religious 
books, from our youth up. O that we may 
prize and improve these very great and precious 
privileges! If we do not, the inhabitants of 
Capernaum and Bethsaida may rise up in the 
judgment as witnesses against us. 



CHAPTER VII. 

The miracle of the loaves and fishes — Another storm * 
on the lake. 

After the apostles had been absent for some 
time, they returned again to their Master. Their 
return was probably hastened by the news of 
the death of that great and good man, John the 
Baptist. John had reproved Herod, the ruler 
of Galilee, for his sins, and this act of piety 
had cost him his life. When the apostles 
heard of it they gathered together around their 
Master in the deepest sorrow. 

In the mean time Jesus was continually 
thronged with the multitude. As fast as some 
retired others came, so that there was no time 
for religious retirement, or even to eat. Jesus, 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 41 

therefore, said to the twelve, " Come ye your- 
selves apart, and rest a while," and accordingly 
they took a vessel as privately as possible, and 
crossed the lake to a desert place near Beth- 
saida; but the people, seeing the course they 
took, started on foot, and passing from Caper- 
naum along the upper end of the lake, reached 
the desert before Jesus and his disciples had 
landed. When Jesus saw the multitude that 
had already collected, he was moved with 
compassion toward them. Without waiting for 
rest or food, he again began to teach them, and 
also healed their sick. 

As the evening drew near the disciples came 
to their Master and said, u This is a desert 
place, and the time [for teaching the people] is 
now past ; send the multitude away, that they 
may go into the villages and buy themselves 
victuals." It seems the desert, the setting sun, 
and the prospect of lodging in the open air, 
were little thought of by the eager multitude. 
The preaching and miracles of Jesus led them 
to forget or neglect every other subject. He 
kindly replied to the disciples, " They need not 
depart ; give ye them to eat." They were as- 
tonished at such a command, and answered, 
" We have here but five loaves and two fishes." 
" Bring them hither to me," said he. They did 
so ; and he commanded the multitude, amount- 
ing to five thousand men, besides women and 
children, to sit down on the grass. He then 
took the loaves and fishes, and looking up to 
heaven, blessed and brake, and gave the loaves 



42 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



to the disciples to distribute among the multi- 
tude. This being done, they all eat to their 
entire satisfaction ; after which, Jesus com- 
manded the disciples to gather up what was 
left, that nothing might be lost. They obeyed, 
and brought back twelve baskets full, amount- 
ing, probably, to twenty times as much as the 
original quantity. 

As this miracle was a very striking one, it 
deserves a little farther attention. 

In the first place observe, that there could be 
no fraud or mistake about this miracle. The 
multitude reached the place before Jesus and 
the disciples landed, and of course knew that 
there was no provision for such a magnificent 
entertainment on the spot, and that they did not 
bring any such quantity of food with them. 
Again : it would have been impossible to prac- 
tise any deception in the matter, on account of 
the amount necessary to feed such a multitude. 
If we suppose there were as many women and 
children as there were men, the whole number 
would amount to ten thousand persons. Allow- 
ing eight ounces of bread and four of fish for 
each person of the hungry multitude, and we 
should have the sum of seven thousand five 
hundred pounds. This, at ten hundred pounds 
to each, would load more than fourteen wa- 
gons ; all produced from the five loaves and two 
fishes. 

We may observe, secondly, that three out of 
the five senses of the whole multitude tested 
the reality of the miracle. They saw, they 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 43 

handled, they tasted of the miraculous provision. 
We shall understand this better by considering 
the circumstances a little more at length. 
First, then, we may observe, that it was draw- 
ing toward evening before . the disciples began 
to distribute the food among the multitude. We 
cannot, therefore, suppose that only twelve per- 
sons could put first a piece of bread and then a 
piece of fish into the hands of five thousand 
men, besides the women and children, so as to 
finish by evening. For this reason we may 
conclude that, as the people sat in ranks of fifty 
and a hundred each, the disciples put a piece 
of bread into the hands of the person at the 
head of each rank ; then the bread increased in 
size, not only in our Lord's hands, but in the 
hands of every person, so that each having more 
than he wished, handed a piece to his next neigh- 
bour, and so it went on, swelling out in every marHs 
hands, and before every ontfs eyes. So also 
with the fish ; it was created before each per- 
son in like manner. Thus the miracle went 
on until all eat and were filled, to their unspeak- 
able astonishment.* 

The inquiry very naturally arises, What 
was the effect of this surprising miracle ? We 
are ready to conclude that the whole company 
were convinced that Jesus was indeed their 
long promised, long expected Messiah ; and so 
indeed they were ; for they said among them- 
selves, " This is of a truth that Prophet that 
should come into the world." Moreover, they 
*Macknight. 



44 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



determined to take him by force, and proclaim 
him their king. But alas ! their views were low 
and worldly. Instead of regarding him as the 
Saviour of their souls, they were eager, by his 
means, to make their fortunes. " What a fine 
thing (thought they) will it be to have such a 
personage for our prince. There will be no 
want of riches, honours, or aggrandizement. 
When we go against our enemies, he can lead 
us forth to certain victory ; for what troops can 
stand before a general who can heal every 
wounded soldier by a look, or a word ; who 
can feed a whole army from half a dozen loaves 
of bread ; and who can understand every secret 
plot in the enemy's camp ?" Knowing that 
such were their thoughts, Jesus directed his 
disciples to take the boat and pass over to Ca- 
pernaum, while he dismissed the multitude. 
They did so ; and he, having sent the people 
away, went up into a mountain to pray : doubt- 
less to pray for these stupid, careless hearers, 
who wished to make gain of godliness, and 
who eagerly desired to turn the miracles of the 
world's Redeemer into instruments for gratifying 
their ambition and covetousness. 

In the mean time, while Jesus was praying, 
the disciples were still upon the lake. Another 
of those sudden storms before alluded to had 
overtaken them. Hour after hour passed, and 
still the gale came sweeping on, defying all their 
efforts to reach the land. During these many 
distressing hours of storm and tempest, of dark- 
ness and danger, Jesus saw his disciples, 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 45 

though they saw not him. He beheld their 
perplexity and fear while they were contending 
with the winds and waves, and observed how 
they toiled in rowing, yet he still delayed to go 
to their relief, seeing it best to try their faith 
and patience. At length, in the fourth, or morn- 
ing watch,* when they were much discouraged 
and nearly exhausted, they saw by the glim- 
mering light which gleamed fitfully through the 
storm, a human form gliding across the trou- 
bled waters. Supposing it to fee a spirit, they 
cried out for fear." But soon they heard the 
well known voice of their Master, saying, "Be 
of good cheer ; it is I, be not afraid." The 
warm and forward temper of Peter at once dis- 
played itself when he discovered that it was 
his Master. "Lord," said he, "seeing it is 
thou, bid me come to thee on the water." Je- 
sus replied, " Come." Peter was immediately 
over the side of the vessel, and doubtless not a 
little pleased to find the water firm under his 
feet ; but allowing his attention to be diverted 
from his Master, and seeing the wind tempestu- 
ous, and the waves in wild commotion around 
him, he was seized with a sudden terror, his 
faith failed, and he began to sink. In great 
alarm he cried out, " Lord, save me." Jesus 
calmly put forth his hand, and raising him up, 

* The Jews, as well as the Romans, usually divided 
the night into four watches of three hours each. The 
first began at six o'clock, the second at nine, the third 
at twelve, and the fourth at three. 



46 LI FK OF J O II V THE Al'OSTLE. 

reproved his weak faith, saying, "O thou of 
little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" 

Jesus and Peter then entered the ship, and 
in a moment all was calm. At this they were 
filled with wonder and amazement ; for though 
they had just before witnessed the miracle of 
the loaves and fishes, yet, as St. Mark says, 
their heart ivas hardened ; that is, they were so 
stupifled with fear that they did not reflect upon 
that miracle, or upon the stilling of the tempest 
on a former occasion. Having again entered 
Capernaum, they were followed by the same 
persons who had been fed with the five loaves 
and two fishes on the other side of the lake. 
When they found him they were astonished. 
They knew that the disciples had put off in 
their boat without him, and supposed him to be 
still on the other side. " Rabbi," said they, 
" when earnest thou hither ?" Jesus did not 
even name the miraculous manner of his cross- 
ing, but immediately turned their attention to 
a matter of more importance to themselves. 
He told them, in the most solemn manner, that 
they did not seek him because they were con- 
vinced by the miracle that he was a divine 
Teacher, or were disposed to obey his instruc- 
tions ; but, rather, that they were following him 
in hopes of making gain of his miracles. " Ye 
seek me," said he, " because ye did eat of the 
loaves, and were filled." He then went on to 
give them a most heart-searching address ; 
showing them that if they followed him hoping 
for worldly advantages, they would find them- 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



47 



selves totally disappointed. He unfolded to 
them the spiritual nature of his mission, and let 
them know that none but the pure in heart 
could be his true followers. Many who had 
before professed themselves his disciples took 
offence at this, and went away vexed and dis- 
appointed. 

Jesus then turned to the twelve and inquired, 
"Will ye also go away?" Peter, with his 
usual zeal, replied, " Lord, to whom shall we 
go? Thou hast the words of eternal life; and 
we believe, and are sure, that thou art that 
Christ, the Son of the living God." 

There is one point in the above history 
which suggests an important lesson of instruc- 
tion ; I refer to the conduct of those who had 
declared themselves the disciples of the Sa- 
viour through the hope of worldly advantage. 
They present us with a most melancholy pic- 
ture of human depravity. W e see - them at- 
tempting to turn even their very mercies into 
curses. Jesus had come to cure them of their 
pride, their covetousness, and their ambition ; but 
they wish to make a secular prince of him, and 
to have him feed these vile passions to the full. 
He had come to make peace in a torn, bleeding, 
contending world ; but they wish to place him 
at the head of slaughtering armies, to fill pro- 
vinces with groans, and tears, and blood. He 
had come to establish justice and charity; but 
they would have him plunder provinces and 
empires, and enrich them with the spoils of 
oppression and robbery. 



48 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

There are persons in our own day whose 
motives are equally vile. In all they have to 
do with, even religion itself, they are governed 
by pride, vanity, or some other principle equally 
sinful. They choose the church they will 
attend, the ministry they will sit under, and the 
doctrines they will maintain, not because con- 
science directs in their choice, but because 
they would make religion itself minister to their 
unholy passions. Pride chooses their religion ; 
pride chooses their place of worship ; pride 
chooses the doctrines they maintain ; and it 
will be a miracle of mercy if pride, instead of 
grace, does not determine their final doom. 

My dear reader, take heed how you meddle 
with so sacred a matter as religion, with unholy 
motives. God's eye is upon you ; and hypo- 
crites cannot stand in his sight. On the other 
hand, if you are truly honest, and spurn all 
improper motives, you have every encourage- 
ment you can possibly desire. If thus you 
follow Jesus, you shall not follow him in vain. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Jesus announces his death — The transfiguration. 

There are some persons whose hearts seem 
to be formed for friendship. Their manners are 
so mild, and their dispositions so affectionate, 
that they appear to win every one's esteem. A 
charm of loveliness is thrown around them, 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



49 



kindness beams in every feature, and breathes 
in the soft, gentle tones of the voice. They 
seem to possess the happy art of making every 
one feel at ease in their company, and of 
making their society desirable to every one. 
Such persons may not be either wiser, better, 
or holier than many others ; but they are more 
lovely. John appears to have been precisely 
one of this class of persons. He had less 
genius and less energy than Peter, and naturally 
was not capable of bringing as much to pass, 
but he was more engaging. Now as Jesus had 
assumed the nature of man, with all its sympa- 
thies, and every thing pertaining to it, except 
sin, he was capable, as man, of all the tender 
feelings of friendship and affection, and that to 
the greatest possible extent. In this respect 
John was more like him than any of the other 
disciples, and, as might be expected, Jesus had 
a 'particular affection for him. He enjoyed a 
closer intimacy with his Master than any of the 
twelve, and was called that disciple whom Jesus 
loved. 

I have introduced this fact here to assist the 
reader in appreciating, to some extent at least, 
the feelings of this beloved disciple when Jesus 
made to him and his companions the startling 
announcement that he was to pass through the 
most dreadful sufferings, and at last die by the 
hand of violence. Though this fact had been 
foretold by the prophets Isaiah and Daniel, yet 
the disciples seem entirely to have overlooked 
it. As they had been (a part of them at least) 
4 



50 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

only simple fishermen, perhaps they had not as 
yet studied the writings of the prophets with 
very close attention. At all events, the decla- 
ration was new to them, and took them alto- 
gether by surprise. They were filled with 
mingled emotions of astonishment and sorrow. 
" How was it possible for his enemies to put 
him to death ? Could they have power over 
him who had power over all nature ? Could 
they put him to death by violence whom winds 
and seas obeyed ?" Such were the thoughts 
which would naturally arise in their hearts. 
But then he himself had declared it would be 
so, and sorrow filled their hearts. How could 
they endure the thought that their beloved and 
adored Master should be put to death by the 
hands of murderers ? Must they see him, in 
whom all their hopes centred, suffering, groan- 
ing, and expiring ? Must they be left alone in 
the midst of a people who could imbrue their 
hands in the blood of their own Messiah ? What 
must have been their feelings at such a pros- 
pect, and especially those of the tender-hearted 
John ? But they, as yet, had but faint ideas of 
the true nature of their Master's mission. In his 
f wisdom and tenderness he had led them gently 
along, unfolding truth after truth as they were 
able to bear them. This last was by far the 
most severe trial John's faith had been called 
to encounter : but his Master knew how to 
mingle the richest mercies with such trials. If 
this revelation was in danger of sinking him to 
the verge of despair, the next was like exalting 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



51 



him to the third heaven. This occurred a few 
days afterward, and in the following man- 
ner : — 

" There is, about fifty miles north of Jerusa- 
lem, and six from Nazareth, a singularly beau- 
tiful elevation, called Mount Tabor. It rises 
from the vale of Jezreel, or plain of Esdraelon, 
in the form of a cone, and is at least one thou- 
sand feet in height. The summit is a level area 
a quarter of a mile in length, and the eighth of 
a mile in breadth. The declivities on every 
side are covered to the very top with verdure, 
clumps of trees, (oaks, olives, and sycamores,) 
interspersed with a rich variety of plants and 
flowers. A circuitous path winds its way amid 
these verdant scenes up the sides of the mount, 
and is so easy of ascent that it may be pursued 
on horseback even to the summit. The view 
from the top of this beautiful eminence is de- 
scribed by all travellers as grand and picturesque 
in the extreme. It overtops all the neighbour- 
ing hills. On the west is the noble expanse 
of the Mediterranean. Beneath are spread the 
beautiful plains of Esdraelon and Galilee, while 
in the distance appear Carmel and the heights 
of Samaria and Gilboa. Eastward, at the dis- 
tance of thirty miles, is the lake of Gennesaret, 
and north are the snow-covered peaks of Leba- 
non." 

A few days after Jesus had announced his 
sufferings and death to the disciples, he took 
John, and James, and Peter, and ascended, as is 
generally supposed, to the summit of this moun- 



52 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



tain.* The three disciples were overcome with 
fatigue, and soon fell asleep. But Jesus had 
sought this place for retirement and prayer, and 
for the solemn transactions about to follow. 
While they slept, therefore, he prayed. Sud- 
denly they awoke, and found themselves sur- 
rounded with the most dazzling light. Turning 
their eyes upon their Master, they beheld his 
countenance shining like the sun, and his rai- 
ment white as the light. " The indwelling 
Deity darted out his rays through the veil of 
his flesh, and that with such transcendent splen- 
dour that he no longer appeared as a mere man. 
His face shone with divine majesty like the sun 
in its strength, and his body was so illuminated 
that his clothing could not conceal his glory, 
but became white, and glistened like the very 
light, with which he covered himself as with a 
garment. "f 

Besides this, they discovered two glorious 
personages talking with Jesus. One of these 
was Moses, the illustrious Jewish lawgiver. 
He had about fifteen hundred years before led 
the hosts of Israel to the borders of Canaan, 
and then, after viewing the country from the 
summit of Mount Nebo, opposite to Jericho, had 
been called to his reward. Just before he died 
he had predicted the coming of the Messiah, 
and now he beholds the fulfilment of his pro- 
phecy. 

* The general voice of tradition makes Tabor the 
scene of the transfiguration, 
t Wesley. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 53 

The other was Elijah, the great reformer or 
restorer of the law, when Israel had departed 
from it. Mount Carmel, which could be seen dis- 
tinctly from Tabor, was the very spot where he 
put idolatry to flight, in the presence of the 
thousands of Israel.* He had been permitted to 
leave the world without passing under the domi- 
nion of death. Not far from the place where 
Moses died Elijah took his departure, soul and 
body, to heaven. 

John and his companions had often heard of 
Moses and Elijah ; but had not expected ever 
to meet with them in this world : but now, to 
their astonishment, they behold them in their 
glory, and hear them conversing with their 
Master. The subject of their conversation was 
the death which Jesus was to suffer at Jerusa- 
lem. The particulars of the conversation are 
not given, but they were, doubtless, very in- 
structive to John and his companions. A most 
sweet and heavenly influence seems to have 
filled their hearts, and Peter was almost in an 
ecstasy. " Lord," said he, " it is good for us 
to be here I" and he then proposed to put up 
three tents or booths : one for Moses, and one 
for Elijah, and a third for his Master, himself, 
and his companions. He had forgotten that 
those who had been so long in heaven could 
no longer need tabernacles upon earth. But 
scarcely had he done speaking when a bright 
cloud encompassed them, and a voice was heard 

* See Life of Elijah, published for the Sunday School 
Union of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



54 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



from the midst of the cloud, " This is my be- 
loved Son, in whom I am well pleased : 
hear ye him !" This announcement filled them 
with awe and fear, and they fell upon their faces 
to the earth. But Jesus came and touched them, 
saying, " Arise, be not afraid !" They arose, 
but the vision had departed. The cloud was 
withdrawn. Moses and Elijah had reascended 
to paradise, and Jesus had again veiled his 
glory and assumed his usual appearance. 

This manifestation of the Saviour's glory was 
intended to answer several important purposes. 
Among these was the preparation of John and 
his companions for their approaching trials. 
They were soon to see their Master taken from 
them, put to death by the hand of violence, and 
were themselves to be pursued by the most in- 
veterate malice. But here there was much to 
prepare them for such a trial of their faith. 
They saw by the conversation with Moses and 
Elijah that his death was no new or unforeseen 
event — they beheld his glory, and learned 
something of his true and proper condition, a 
few rays of that glory being permitted to beam 
out through the human form in which he had 
veiled it — they witnessed, in the persons of 
Moses and Elijah, something of that glory 
which awaited themselves after their work on 
earth should be ended — .and finally, they heard 
God himself testifying of their Master, as his 
well-beloved Son, and directing them to 
hear him, as the great and infallible Teacher 
of divine truth. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



55 



The prospect of future glory, which this 
vision opened to them, was particularly encour- 
aging. And the more so, because the doctrines 
of the Sadducees, who denied a future state 
altogether, were at that time very prevalent 
Not a vestige of this chilling doctrine could 
linger about the minds of men who had beheld 
what these disciples had now witnessed. 



CHAPTER IXc 

John's errors — He is reproved by his Master. 

We have already observed that John enjoyed 
the peculiar affection of his Master. He was 
one of the first whom Jesus called to be with 
him, and none of the twelve had been more 
highly honoured. Of the three selected to wit- 
ness the remarkable scene on the Mount, he 
was one. These things should have made him 
humble and grateful. But our greatest favours 
are not unfrequently fraught with the greatest 
dangers. We see an instructive illustration of 
this in the conduct of John and his brethren.. 
Supposing still that their Master was to reign 
as a temporal, as well as a spiritual prince, 
either before his death or after his resurrection, 
they fell into a dispute about the pre-eminence, 
John is not expressly named as one of the dis- 
putants, but we may conclude from his conduct 
on another occasion that he was not backward 



5G LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

in asserting what he supposed to be his claims. 
Jesus understood very well the nature of the 
controversy, though he probably was not pre- 
sent when it took place. Accordingly, when 
they had entered a house, he called them around 
him, and inquired H What was it that ye dis- 
puted among yourselves by the way ?" They 
were abashed and held their peace. He then 
took up a little child in his arms, and drew a 
lesson of simplicitjr, sincerity, teachableness, 
and humility from the unambitious little being 
before them. He told them if any one would 
be first of all in his estimation he must in hu- 
mility, condescension, and kindness be willing 
to serve all. He informed them that he regard- 
ed genuine humility as true greatness, and that 
he who humbled himself most should be exalted 
the highest. This admirable lesson was doubt- 
less very serviceable ; but it did not entirely 
cure them of their worldly and ambitious views. 
John and his brother James in particular, being 
in the heat of " youthful blood," still retained the 
remains of these unholy aspirings. It appears 
their mother Salome had also become a follower 
of Jesus. At their request, and quite in accord- 
ance with her own desire, she (on another 
occasion) went to the Saviour and opened the 
same subject. Her request was, that when 
Jesus established his kingdom he would give 
the two chief offices to her sons, James and 
John. The subject being thus introduced, the 
brothers seem to have been ready to follow 
it up, and let their Master know that what Sa- 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 57 

lome had asked was quite agreeable to their 
desires. Jesus mildly replied, " Ye know not 
what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup 
that I shall drink of, and to be baptized 
with the baptism that I am baptized with f } 
That is, " Are ye able to drink of the cup of 
affliction that I shall drink of, and to be over- 
whelmed with the trials that must come upon 
me ? And do you know that the way to the 
highest honours is through a sea of sorrows and 
a weight of the most severe labours ? Are ye 
able to bear this ?" They sincerely, but igno- 
rantly, replied, " We are able." He then assured 
them they should share in these sufferings ; but 
that he had no special honours to give on the 
principle of favouritism : for all honours would 
be given in conformity to the will and counsels 
of the Father. He also went on to show them 
that the honours to which he referred were not 
such as they had asked. For so far was he 
from intending to be a splendid prince, ruling 
over a great empire, that he came to serve 
others, and to give his life a ransom for many. 

We are also informed of two other occasions 
on which John did not show himself sufficient- 
ly humble, and on which his Master kindly re- 
proved him. The first case alluded to occurred 
thus. The disciples saw a man, probably a 
disciple of John the Baptist, performing a mira- 
cle in the name of Jesus. As this man was 
not of the company who immediately attended 
upon the Saviour, they thought he had no au- 
thority to perform such works, and accordingly, 



58 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



they forbade him. John was either disposed 
to pride himself a little upon his zeal in this 
act, or else he perhaps had some doubts of its 
propriety. At all events, he wished to know 
his Lord's opinion about it, and so introduced 
the matter to him. " Master," said he, " we 
saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he 
followeth not us ; and we forbade him, because 
he followeth not us." 

Jesus replied, " Forbid him not, for there is 
no man that can do a miracle in my name that 
can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is 
not against us, is on our part." That is, "He 
cannot be an enemy, who. is engaged in the 
same blessed work with yourselves. Let him 
go on : do not coldly, much less proudly, hin- 
der his work, and grieve his heart. Rather 
esteem him very highly in love, for his work's 
sake." 

What a pity that any of the followers of 
Christ should have forgotten this important 
lesson ! How many have been ready to forbid 
their brethren from labouring in the great work 
of the world's conversion, because in opinions, 
modes of worship, or something else which 
had little to do with the essence of religion, 
they followed not them ! It is to be feared that 
such persons have mistaken bigotry for zeal; 
and love to a sect, for love to Christ and the 
souls for whom he died. 

The other error which John fell into grew 
out of something of the same spirit. To un- 
derstand the case fully, we must go back a 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 59 

little. Under the reign of Rehoboam, son of King 
Solomon, ten of the tribes of Israel separated from 
the other two, and established a separate king- 
dom. This produced a spirit of envy and rival- 
ry between the two kingdoms, and led finally 
to the building of a temple on Mount Gerizim, 
where a sort of rival worship was established, 
and kept up in opposition to that at the temple 
at Jerusalem. At length the most bitter hatred 
grew up between the two parties, who were 
distinguished as Jews and Samaritans. The 
Jews looked with scorn upon the temple and 
worship at Gerizim ; and the Samaritans with 
envy and hatred upon those at Jerusalem. The 
two parties would show each other no hospi- 
tality, or have any dealings or intercourse to- 
gether. 

Such was the state of things when our Lord 
and his disciples entered Samaria, on their way 
to one of the festivals at Jerusalem. As they 
wished to tarry over night in a Samaritan vil- 
lage, Jesus sent messengers a little before him 
to request entertainment. The Samaritans, 
learning that they were on their way to worship 
at Jerusalem, instead of Gerizim, refused them 
the privilege of even lodging in their village. 
When the messengers returned, Jesus and his 
company were at no great distance from the 
place where Elijah had called down fire from 
heaven upon two companies that had come to 
seize him, and deliver him into the hands of 
a wicked and infuriated prince. John, and his 
brother James, remembering this event, and 



60 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



being angry at the unkind treatment their Mas- 
ter had received, and perhaps, withal, having 
more Jewish prejudice than they were aware 
of, thought of punishing these Samaritans in 
the same way. 

" Lord," said they, " wilt thou that we com- 
mand fire to come down from heaven and con- 
sume them, even as Elijah did ?" Jesus turned, 
and casting a reproving look upon these erring 
disciples, said, " Ye know not what manner of 
spirit ye are of." He then added, that his ob- 
ject in coming into the world was not to destroy 
men's lives, but to save them. That is, his 
mission was one of mercy, and not of ven- 
geance ; he had come to lead men to repent- 
ance, and, if possible, save them from punish- 
ment, rather than inflict it upon them. The 
case between them and Elijah was very dif- 
ferent. That was one in which God himself 
interfered to save his servant from the hand of 
violence, and to punish a wicked prince and 
his wicked servants. This was one of national 
prejudice and personal resentment ; or, at least, 
one of ignorant and fiery zeal. 

We may learn from the conduct of the Sa- 
viour toward John, that our best friends are those 
who, when we do wrong, reprove us most faith- 
fully. John was most tenderly beloved by 
Jesus. No person ever enjoyed more of his 
confidence and affection ; and no one could 
better appreciate his excellences, or rejoice 
more in them, than did his Master. Indeed, 
the reproofs which he gave him were some of 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 61 

the strongest proofs of this, for if he had not 
loved him, he would not have taken pains to 
correct his errors. Let this example teach you, 
dear reader, to bear reproof with meekness, 
and to receive it as a real and valuable kind- 
ness. If you have a friend that kindly tells 
you of your faults, part with all your flatter- 
ers rather than with him. He will do you good, 
and not evil, all the days of your life. John, 
without doubt, became of the same opinion. 
He received his Master's rebukes with meek- 
ness, and profited by them. These kind les- 
sons were somewhat painful, no doubt ; but 
they were so salutary in their influence that we 
never hear of John's falling into any similar 
errors afterward. 



CHAPTER X. 
The raising of Lazarus. 

It is impossible to give a correct impression 
of the life of any person without following him 
from place to place, and tracing the thread of 
his history through the most important scenes 
which he witnessed. This is especially true 
of John. During the time he was with his 
Master, his character was forming as an apos- 
tle, and a writer of the gospel history. He 
was then a learner of truths as important as the 
world's destiny ; for the world's destiny de- 
pends upon them. He was also a witness of 



62 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

the facts by which these truths were established. 
To judge, then, of his character as an apostle, a 
writer, and a witness, we must follow him through 
some, at least, of the astonishing scenes which 
he from time to time beheld. In doing this we 
may next select the raising of Lazarus. It is 
at once touching, beautiful, and instructive. 

This interesting event occurred at a village 
called Bethany. It was situated on the decli- 
vity of the Mount of Olives, about two miles 
from Jerusalem. After the labours of the day 
were ended, Jesus and the disciples often re- 
tired from the noise and bustle of the great 
city, to spend the night in this quiet little vil- 
lage. Here they found an agreeable home in 
the house of two sisters, named Martha and 
Mary. They appear to have been of the more 
polished class of society, and in easy, if not 
affluent circumstances. The sisters had a bro- 
ther, who appears to have been younger than 
themselves, named Lazarus. In this pleasant 
family, Jesus and the disciples found a very 
agreeable retreat. As might be expected, a 
warm and delightful friendship grew up be- 
tween Christ and his disciples, and this en- 
gaging family. They reverenced Jesus as the 
Messiah, and he honoured them with his com- 
pany and instructions. 

Jesus and the disciples had been at Jerusa- 
lem, and doubtless at Bethany, but had now 
retired to the other side of the Jordan. While 
he was here Lazarus was taken ill. His sick- 
ness at length became alarming, and his affec- 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 63 

tionate sisters were filled with the most tender 
anxiety. As they watched by his languishing 
couch, and saw him sinking under the violence 
of the disease, they often thought of Jesus, and 
longed to have him present. They knew he 
could, by a word, rebuke the disease ; and did 
not doubt but, if he were present, he would do 
so. At length their anxiety and alarm became 
so great, that they determined to send him a 
message ; but such was their modesty, and in 
such awe did they stand of him, that they did 
not dare ask him to come to Bethany, or even 
to heal their brother. They simply sent this 
touching message : "Lord, behold, he whom thou 
lovest is sick" 

When Jesus heard the message he simply 
said, " This sickness is not unto death, but for 
the glory of God ; that the Son of God may be 
glorified thereby." By this he meant the same 
as he did when he said of Jairus's daughter, 
" The maid is not dead, but sleepeth." As she 
was not finally and hopelessly dead, but soon to 
be awakened to life, so would it be with La- 
zarus. 

Having made this observation, Jesus said no 
more ; he did not tell the messenger that he in- 
tended to go to Bethany, or send back any far- 
ther word concerning the matter. Yet this ap- 
parent indifference did not proceed from any 
want of interest or affection, for it is emphati- 
cally added, " Now Jesus loved Martha, and her 
sister, and Lazarus" On account of their piety 
toward God, their love for each other, and their 



64 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

faith in him as the Messiah, he loved them 
with a very peculiar and tender affection. Not- 
withstanding all this, he made no haste to go to 
Bethany, but remained where he was two days. 
At the end of this time he said to the disciples, 
" Let us go into Judea again." They were 
quite surprised at this proposal, as they sup- 
posed Lazarus to be out of danger, their Mas- 
ter having said his sickness was not unto death, 
and because of the danger they had encounter- 
ed on their last visit to that place. " Master,'' 
said they, "the Jews of late sought to stone 
thee, and goest thou thither again V 9 He re- 
plied, " Are there not twelve hours in the day? 
If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth 
not ; because he seeth the light of this world. 
But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth ; 
because there is no light." That is, As the 
hours of the day are appointed for necessary 
labour, and he who travels about, performing 
his business, need not stumble ; even so, he 
who has a season allotted him for performing 
God's work need not fear any difficulty or dan- 
ger. God is always able to preserve him. But 
as a man walking in the night is in danger of 
falling, so he who goes where God has not sent 
him, or without trusting in his providence to 
guide and protect him, has just cause to fear the 
danger to which he exposes himself. 

Having made this reply in answer to their 
objection, he proceeded to say: " Our friend 
Lazarus sleepeth : but I go that I may awake 
him out of sleep." This he probably spoke just 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 65 



when Lazarus died. The disciples, understand- 
ing him to mean that Lazarus was taking rest 
in sleep, and supposing this a favourable symp- 
tom, replied, " Lord, if he sleep, he shall do 
well." Then said Jesus, plainly, " Lazarus is 
dead; and I am glad for your sakes that I 
was not there, to the intent ye may believe : 
but let us go unto him." Thomas, seeing his 
Master determined to go, and supposing that 
the Jews would kill him, exclaimed to his fel- 
low-disciples, " Let us also go, that we may die 
with him." Poor Thomas seems almost in 
despair, but yet too affectionate to forsake his 
beloved Master. 

When they arrived near Bethany they were 
informed that Lazarus was buried, and had 
already lain in the grave four days. As some 
time must have been spent in preparing for the 
funeral, he had probably been dead five days or 
more. 

As already remarked, Martha and Mary ap- 
pear to have been persons of considerable rank 
in society. They had a numerous circle of 
friends, and among them numbers who lived in 
Jerusalem. A large number of these friends 
had come together on this occasion to comfort 
the sisters, and were with them at the time 
Jesus approached Bethany. The news soon 
reached Martha that he was coming, and she 
silently withdrew from her company and went 
to meet him. Her object was probably to wel- 
come his coming. But in the excess of her 
grief she forget her errand, and her first words 
5 



66 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

were, " Lord, if thou hadst been here, my bro- 
ther had not died : but I know that even now, 
whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give 
it thee." It seems she had not courage to ask 
so great a favour as the restoration of her bro- 
ther to life ; but modestly intimates her desire, 
and leaves it to him to do as he pleases. Her 
language also shows that she did not yet fully 
comprehend her Saviour's character. She be- 
lieved him to be the Messiah, and so high in 
the favour of God, that whatever he asked would 
be granted. But she did not know that he was 
himself God, and could, by his own power, per- 
form whatever he pleased. 

Jesus replied, " Thy brother shall rise again." 
Not daring to understand him in the sense that 
favoured her wishes, Martha answered, " I 
know that he shall rise again at the resurrection 
at the last day." " I am the resurrection and 
the life," said Jesus ; " he that believeth in 
me, though he were dead, yet shall he live : 
and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall 
never die. Believest thou this f* She replied, 
" Yea, Lord : I believe that thou art the Christ, 
the Son of God, which should come into the 
world." That is, I believe that thou art the 
Messiah, and confide in every thing thou say- 
est. 

Jesus then inquired Vor Mary, upon which 
Martha departed quickly, and finding her sister, 
whispered, " The Master is come, and calleth 
for thee." As soon as she heard this, Mary 
arose, without saying any thing to any one, and 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 67 

went to Jesus. Falling down at his feet, she 
exclaimed, with tears, " Lord, if thou hadst been 
here, my brother had not died." Her friends 
in the house, having seen her go out, followed 
her, observing to one another, " She goeth to 
the grave to weep." These soon surrounded 
Jesus, and, melted by the moving scene before 
them, united their tears with those of the weep- 
ing sisters. When Jesus looked upon the sor- 
rowing company, all in tears, the tender feel- 
ings of love, pity, and friendship moved him in 
a high degree. His compassionate heart could 
not witness the distress of the two affectionate 
sisters, and that of their sympathizing friends, 
without having a deep share in it. It is said, 
" He groaned in spirit, and troubled himself." 
An expression not only elegant, but highly pro- 
per. For the affections of Jesus were not so 
properly passions as voluntary emotions, which 
were wholly in his own power. And this ten- 
der trouble, which he now voluntarily sustained, 
was full of the highest order and reason.* 
" Where," said he, "have ye laid him ?" They 
replied, " Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. 
His tender heart was filled with affection for 
the dead, and sympathy for thejiving, and with a 
deep sense of the misery which sin had brought 
upon human nature. When the Jews present 
saw Jesus weep, they whispered one to another, 
" Behold how he loved him !" They seem to 
have been struck with his generous sorrow for 
one to whom he was in no way related, and 
* Bengelius, 



G8 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



with whom his intercourse had been but occa- 
sional. 

As they passed on toward the grave, some 
said, " Could not he who gave sight to the 
blind man, even have prevented this man's 
death ?" Jesus knew what was passing in their 
minds, and clearly foresaw that so obstinate 
were some of them in their unbelief, that no 
kind or amount of evidence would induce 
them to embrace him as the Messiah. He also 
foresaw the miseries in which their obstinacy 
would involve them. His feelings were afflict- 
ed by the sad prospect, and again he groaned 
in spirit. They had now arrived at the grave. 
It was a cave like that in which Abraham, 
Isaac, and Jacob, with their wives, were 
buried. 

Indeed, the wealthier classes among the Jews 
were all buried in caves, either natural or hewn 
out of the rocks, with which the country abound- 
ed. The entrance was usually closed with a 
large stone, which often had a monumental in- 
scription upon it. 

The company had now collected around the 
tomb, and Jesus directed that the stone which 
closed the entrance should be removed. He 
could, with the utmost ease, have caused the 
stone to roll away of itself, without employing 
any person to remove it. But he purposely 
avoided all unnecessary pomp and parade, 
mingling the most astonishing majesty with the 
most amiable and modest simplicity.* Besides, 

* Bishop Hall 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 69 

those who removed the body would, from its 
putrefied state, have ample evidence that it was 
dead.* 

Faith and unbelief seem by turns to have 
prevailed in Martha's mind. Shrinking from 
the revolting exposure of a body which she did 
not doubt had, in that warm climate, already 
become putrid, she exclaimed, " Lord, by this 
time the smell is offensive, for this is the fourth 
day." Jesus replied, " Said I not unto thee, 
that, if thou wouldst believe, thou shouldst see 
the glory of God ?" The stone was now re- 
moved from the door of the sepulchre, and 
Jesus, lifting up his eyes to heaven, said, " Fa- 
ther, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 
And I knew that thou hearest me always: but 
because of the people which stand by I said it, 
that they may believe that thou hast sent me." 
This prayer was not for assistance to perform 
the miracle, for the Son of God needed no as- 
sistance ; but it was, as he himself declared, 
for the benefit of those who stood by. His ene- 
mies had maliciously accused him of working 
miracles by the power of the devil. To con- 
vince all by whose power they were wrought, 
he makes this address to God.f When he had 
ended this brief and solemn address to the 
Father, he said, with a voice suitable to the 
occasion, and loud enough to be heard by all 
present, " I^azarus, come forth." Instantly 
the dead man became a living man. He arose 
and came forth with his grave-clothes wrapped 
* Benson. t See Macknight. 



70 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



about each separate limb, and the napkin bound 
under his chin and over his forehead. What 
astonishment must have seized the spectators ! 
As they had by no means been expecting a 
resurrection, they must have been surprised 
when they heard our Lord pray for it. The 
command, Lazarus, come forth, astonished 
them still more, and raised their curiosity to an 
intense pitch ; but when they saw him come 
out alive, and in perfect health, who had been 
putrefying in the grave four days, they could 
not but be agitated with many different pas- 
sions, and overwhelmed with inexpressible 
amazement. " Loose him," said Jesus, " and 
let him go." He might easily have caused the 
grave-clothes to fall off of themselves, but he 
chose to allow them the fullest proof of the reality 
of the miracle. He therefore ordered them to 
take off the rollers, or bandages, from his limbs, 
and the napkin from his face, that they might 
see the freshness of his countenance, and feel 
the healthy warmth of his skin ; thus testing 
the truth of the miracle by the closest examina- 
tion. 

Every reader must be sensible that there is 
something incomparably beautiful in our Lord's 
conduct on this occasion. After giving such 
an astonishing proof of his power, he did not 
speak one word in his own praise, either di- 
rectly or indirectly ; he did not chide the dis- 
ciples for their unwillingness to accompany 
him into Judea ; he did not reproach the Jews 
for their former unbelief and malice, or tell them 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 71 

how much they were to blame for persisting in 
their infidelity ; he did not intimate, even in the 
most distant manner, the obligations which La- 
zarus and his sisters were laid under by this 
signal favour ; he did not so much as put Mar- 
tha in mind of the low notion which she had 
entertained of his power:* but, always con- 
sistent with himself, he was on this, as on all 
other occasions, a pattern of perfect humility 
and self-denial.f 

The effects of this miracle were various and 
important First, it without doubt greatly 
strengthened and confirmed the faith of the dis- 
ciples. Though their Master had been of late 
filling their hearts with sorrow, by telling them 
of his sufferings and death, they here saw his 
entire control over death. It furnished them 
with a specimen of the resurrection ; for as the 
whole power of death was accomplished upon 
Lazarus, so the power of the resurrection was 
showed forth in him. How could they doubt 
but that he who could raise Lazarus could also 
raise himself, as he had already told them he 
would do? 

The miracle was also blessed to the good of 
many others ; it overcame the obstinacy of their 
prejudice ; and from that time they embraced 
Jesus as the Messiah, and numbered themselves 
with his disciples. 

But some were filled with malice. Instead 
of yielding to the indubitable evidence before 

* See John xi, 22. 

f See Macknight and Benson. 



72 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



them, they went and reported the miracle to the 
leaders among our Lord's inveterate enemies, 
in order, as is evident, to induce them to take 
speedy measures for checking his growing 
reputation. What a fearful confirmation of Je- 
sus's own declaration, " If ye hear not Moses 
and the prophets, neither will ye be persuaded 
though one rise from the dead." 

Immediately after receiving the news of this 
miracle, the chief priests and Pharisees called 
a council for the purpose of taking effectual 
measures against Jesus ; but when their coun- 
cil was assembled they were in as much diffi- 
culty as before. The object of their malice 
was so innocent, and so holy, that they knew 
not what charge to fix upon as a pretext for his 
destruction. He was so benevolent, that many 
were his friends ; and he had wrought so many 
miracles, that none but the most obstinate could 
dispute his claim to the Messiahship. In 
short, malice the most inveterate was con- 
founded in its attempts to find an accusation 
against hinx " What do we ?" said they ; and 
well has it been replied, " What, indeed, but 
show that death itself yields to the power of 
Christ sooner than infidelity ?" But said they, 
"He doth many miracles." Yes, very true, 
stupendous ones too, and all miracles of mercy. 
He doeth all things well ; making the deaf to 
hear, the lame to walk, and the dead to live. 
" But if we let him thus alone," say these mur- 
derers in council assembled, " all men will 
believe on him, and the Romans shall come and 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 73 

take away both our place and nation." Was 
not this sheer hypocrisy ? What had he done 
to provoke the Romans ? Had he not con- 
stantly taught his hearers that " his kingdom was 
not of this world?" and that those who followed 
him would be so far from enriching themselves 
by so doing, that they would follow a Master 
who had not where to lay his head ? But even 
if the Romans were offended at the multitudes 
flocking to his ministry, and should pretend 
there was likely to be an insurrection, and 
should even send a powerful army against 
them, could not He who conquered death, and 
ruled the elements, defend them against those 
Romans ? The fact was, they were so far from 
fearing that Jesus would provoke a contest with 
the Romans, that they wanted a military Mes- 
siah who would do that very thing ; who would 
head their thousands and lead them to the 
contest. But as he aimed only at subduing 
their sins, instead of conquering the Romans, 
their pride was wounded, and their malice kin- 
dled. 

It appears, however, that there were some, 
even in this bloody council, who scrupled to 
take the life of Jesus. But their objections, if 
not satisfied, were overruled by a speech from 
Caiaphas, the high priest. He arose and re- 
buked their scruples with the utmost indignity. 
"Ye know nothing at all," said he, "nor con- 
sider it is expedient for us that one man should 
die for the people, and that the whole nation 



74 



LIFK OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



perish not.*" The intention of Caiaphas was 
to reprove their slow deliberation in what he 
professed to consider so clear a case. His argu- 
ment was, that though Jesus might be innocent, 
yet political reasons urgently required his death ; 
and that the murder of an innocent man was 
not to be regarded when the safety of the na- 
tion required it. 

This speech produced the desired effect; the 
vote to destroy Jesus was carried : and from 
that time opportunity was eagerly sought to 
carry it into effect. But those politicians were 
taken in their own craftiness. They proposed, 
by killing Jesus, to avoid the destruction of 
their temple and city ; but the sin which they 
committed in his murder was so great, that 
God, in his just indignation, made the very 
people whose resentment they proposed to 
avoid by this wicked measure the instruments 
of his vengeance. He brought the Roman ar- 
mies against them, who destroyed those mur- 
derers, and burned up their city. Could there 
be a more fearful warning to statesmen to be- 

* After relating the speech of Caiaphas, John ob- 
serves, " This spake he not of himself ; but being 
high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should 
die for that nation," &c. : that is, as God anciently- 
communicated his will to the high priests on certain oc- 
casions, so he inspired Caiaphas to utter an important 
truth on this occasion, namely, that Jesus should die 
for that nation. Caiaphas, however, meant what he 
said in a very different sense from the true one ; nor 
was he at all aware of the true sense of his own words. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 75 

ware of prosecuting unjust measures under 
pretence of promoting the public good ?* 



CHAPTER XI. 

A proclamation issued against Jesus — He makes his 
last journey to Jerusalem — Makes his triumphal entry 
into the city — Drives out the temple merchants — Curses 
the barren fig tree. 

The Jewish council, having resolved to put 
Jesus to death, were now only deliberating con- 
cerning the best method of doing it. But as his 
work on earth was not yet finished, he departed 
from Bethany and went with his disciples to a 
city called Ephraim, a little west of Jericho. 
Here he remained a short time, awaiting the 
approach of the feast of the passover. This 
being one of the great national festivals, our 
Lord intended celebrating it at Jerusalem. As 
many were already arriving from different parts 
of the country to celebrate this festival, the 
Sanhedrim issued a proclamation against Jesus, 
commanding any one who knew where he was 
to make it known. But though many, doubt- 
less, knew, yet such was his interest in the 
affections of some, and God's hold upon the 
consciences of others, that he continued undis- 
covered. 

At length the time having arrived when he 



i Macknight and Benson. 



76 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



wished to go forward toward Jerusalem, he left 
the city of Ephraim, and with his disciples re- 
turned to Bethany. The sisters Martha and 
Mary, with their brother Lazarus, greeted him 
with the utmost joy, and notwithstanding the 
threats of the council, a feast was prepared for 
him in the village. Martha performed the ho- 
nours of the table, and Lazarus sat down with 
Jesus and the disciples at the feast. While 
they sat at meat, Mary manifested her affection 
for Jesus by pouring upon him, according to an 
eastern custom, a box of costly ointment. 

While they were in Bethany many came 
from the city, attracted by the fame of Jesus, 
and desirous also of seeing Lazarus, of whose 
resurrection they had heard so much. 

The news that Jesus was in Bethany, and 
that the people were again flocking after him, 
soon reached the council, who were greatly 
enraged, especially when they learned that the 
number of his disciples was daily increasing. 
Indeed, their unparalleled wickedness rose to 
such a pitch that they resolved to kill Lazarus 
also, because on his account many were con- 
vinced that Jesus was the Messiah. 

Not in the least daunted by the malice of his 
enemies, Jesus left Bethany and went forward 
toward Jerusalem. When the company had 
ascended the Mount of Olives, and were be- 
tween Bethany and Bethphage, Jesus said to 
two of the disciples, " Go into the village over 
against you, and as soon as ye be entered into it, 
ye shall find an ass, and a colt with her, whereon 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



77 



never man sat. Loose him, and bring him 
unto me. And if any man say, Why do ye 
this 7 Say ye that the Lord hath need of 
him." » 

It is interesting and instructive to observe 
how many particulars were embraced in this 
direction, and how finely it illustrates our Lord's 
omniscience. 1. They were to find a colt. 
2. Not yet broken to the saddle, " on which 
never man sat." 3. Bound or tied, with his 
mother. 4. At the entrance of the village. 5. 
The owners would at first seem unwilling to 
let him go. 6. When they heard the Lord had 
need of him they w r ould consent.* 

The two disciples went, found every thing 
precisely as their Master had stated, and re- 
turned with the colt. 

When they arrived, those who followed Jesus 
had increased to a great multitude. Some im- 
mediately spread their loose robes upon the 
animal, which, though never mounted before, 
was now perfectly tame, and assisted to set 
Jesus upon him. Others, at the same time, 
spread their garments before him ; while others 
still cut branches from the palm trees and 
strewed them in the way. Then the whole 
multitude, both those who went before and those 
who followed, shouted, " Hosanna to the Son 
of David. f Blessed be He that cometh 

* Whitby. 

t Son of David was one of the well known titles of 
the Messiah. 



78 



LIFE OF JOHN" THE APOSTLE. 



IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. HoSANNA T.\ THE 
HIGHEST." 

The people were not only permitted, but in- 
fluenced by God's secret energy upon their 
hearts, to make this public acknowledgment, 
and that for two very important reasons. First, 
they were to honour him with the title of Mes- 
siah publicly, that before he ascended to heaven 
he might have an opportunity of accepting that 
august name in the most avowed manner. Se- 
condly, those who had issued a proclamation 
against him were to be awed, at least for a while, 
and restrained from offering him violence. For 
as he had doctrines yet to teach, rebukes to 
give, and other things to perform that would 
not fail to enrage those wicked rulers, without 
doubt they would have put him to death pre- 
maturely had they not seen the people upon his 
side. At least they would have done so, if they 
had not been restrained in some way, either by 
his secret power, or by fear of the people. Be- 
sides, by this act a remarkable prophecy was 
fulfilled. It may be found in Zechariah, ninth 
chapter and ninth verse, and reads thus : — 

" Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion ! 
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem ! Behold thy King 

cometh unto thee ! 
He 13 just ; and having salvation : 
Lowly ; and riding upon an ass, 
And upon a colt, the foal of an ass !" 

As Jesus entered Jerusalem amid the accla- 
mations of the enraptured multitude, the whole 
city was moved. The general cry was, " Who 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 79 

is this, coming in all this pomp, and followed by 
such a retinue V Those who came with him 
replied, " This is Jesus the prophet, of Naza- 
reth of Galilee." 

Jesus immediately went to the temple. As 
he entered the outer court he saw numbers of 
persons, who had taken their stations in that 
place for traffic. Here were the exchangers 
of money, brokers, as we should call them, and 
persons who sold sheep and oxen, doves, &c. 
Having looked about upon them, and the evening 
drawing near, he returned to Bethany and spent 
the night. The next morning he returned, and 
entering the court again, immediately began to 
drive these profane traffickers from the places 
into which they had thus boldly intruded, over- 
throwing the tables of the money changers and 
the seats of them that sold doves. " It is writ- 
ten," said he, " my house shall be called the 
house of prayer to all nations ; but ye have 
made it a den of thieves." That is, My house 
shall be a place to which people from various 
nations shall resort to worship God ; but ye 
have made it a harbour for wicked men, a place 
where traffic is carried forward by persons of 
the vilest character, who live by deceit and op- 
pression, and practise the vilest extortion, even 
in the house of the most righteous God. 

What an influence must have attended this 
act of righteous severity, to overawe these nu- 
merous and bold intruders, and make them flee 
from the house of God ! 

At the great festivals, when immense num*> 



80 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



bers of people came together from all parts of 
the country, it would be very natural for the 
blind and the lame to congregate around the 
gates and avenues of the temple to ask for cha- 
rity. Numbers of these were present on this 
occasion, and hearing that Jesus was in the 
court of the temple, they flocked around him to 
implore his mercy. With the kindest compas- 
sion he healed all who applied. Seeing this, 
the multitude broke out in loud praises, crying, 
" Ho s anna to the Son of David!" Thus Jesus 
stood as Lord in his own temple, reforming 
abuses, working miracles, and receiving the 
joyful acclamations of the people. To this was 
added a scene which excited the malignant 
envy of his enemies in a special manner. The 
very children, allured by his mild dignity, and 
influenced by the Spirit of God to become wit- 
nesses of his Messiahship, were surrounding 
him in the temple and crying, " Hosanna to the 
Son of David !" Filled with indignation, and 
yet finding a subduing restraint upon their im- 
potent wrath, they came to Jesus, saying, 
" Hearest thou what these say ?" They meant 
to say, " Do you hear these silly children laud- 
ing you, who know not what they say ?" " Yes," 
said Jesus. " Have ye never read, Out of the 
mouths of babes and sucklings thou hast per- 
fected praise ?" That is, Are you, who wish to 
be regarded as the great teachers of the law, so 
ignorant as not to know that this very thing 
was long ago predicted ? and do you not see 
how God, according to his word, is influencing 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 81 

even those whose reason has but just dawned 
to acknowledge me as the true Messiah? 

At night the disciples, after witnessing such 
wonderful events, returned with their Master to 
Bethany. The transactions of this day must 
have appeared to them wonderful indeed. They 
came on this visit to Jerusalem filled with fear. 
The rulers were enraged at their Master, a 
proclamation was out against him, and he had 
foretold his death as being at hand : yet they 
see him boldly enter the temple, ruling it as its 
Lord, and no man has power to do him harm. 

Early the next morning, before breakfast, 
they returned again to the city. On the way 
they saw a beautiful fig tree, by the wayside, 
covered with its dark green foliage, and appear- 
ing very thrifty and promising. The time of 
gathering figs being just at hand, the trees were 
generally at this season loaded with fruit, and 
Jesus, being hungry, drew near as if to gather 
some. But behold ! the tree, with all its pro- 
mising appearance, was barren ! " Let no 
fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever," said 
he. The next day, as they passed by, the tree 
had withered down to the ground. When the 
disciples saw it they were astonished, and ex- 
claimed, " How soon is the fig tree withered 
away \ 9 * 

Jesus had two objects in view in destroying 
this fig tree. First, he intended to signify by 
that act that the curse of God would thus 
wither and destroy the Jewish nation, which he 
had before compared to a barren fig tree. Like 
6 , 



82 



LIVE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



the tree, they appeared promising at a distance. 
They had the leaves of a fair profession^ but the 
fruit of holiness was not there ; and because it 
was not, the day of their doom was fast ap- 
proaching. 

Secondly, our Lord wished to teach the dis- 
ciples a lesson of faith. He designed to show 
them that if they trusted in his power, they 
should be able to perform those things which 
seemed difficult, or even impossible. Accord- 
ingly, he told them that if they had faith and did 
not doubt, they should be able not only to do 
things as difficult as destroying the fig tree 
by a word, but as removing a mountain and cast- 
ing it into the midst of the sea. 



CHAPTER XII. 
The two plots against Jesus. 

The events noticed in the last chapter took 
place during the last week of the Saviour's 
ministry. As this was a week full of interest 
to John and his fellow-disciples, it will be well 
to notice some of the other events of this most 
memorable period. 

Since the commencement of this week Jesus 
had performed three acts, which greatly in- 
censed his enemies. First, he had made a 
triumphal entry into the city, amid the joyful 
acclamations of a great multitude of people. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 83 



Secondly, he had entered upon the work of re- 
forming abuses in the temple, and driven out 
the profaners of God's house. Thirdly, he had 
been preaching in the temple some of the most 
heart-searching truths — truths that cut his ad- 
versaries to the very quick. These acts had 
raised the resentment of the priests and rulers 
to the highest pitch. They burned for revenge ; 
they thirsted for blood. Still they were obliged 
to smother the flames of their malice ; for though 
the volcano heaved and swelled within them, 
they feared to give it vent. Their intentions 
were so vile, and their designs so flagrant an 
outrage upon justice and every thing sacred, 
that they feared the people would rise in a 
mass to punish such a set of wretches as they 
knew themselves to be. For this reason they 
sought to do that by hypocritical treachery, 
which they would otherwise have done by open 
violence. Their object was to get some pre- 
text for murdering him under cover of law, 
either Jewish or Roman. Their first attempt 
was to seek some pretext against him as a vio- 
lator of the laws of their religion. For this pur- 
pose they came into the temple as he taught 
the people, and inquired by what authority he 
was teaching there, and who had authorized 
him to drive out the merchants whom they had 
permitted to traffic in the court. He replied, 
"I also will ask you one thing, which if ye 
tell me, I will also tell you by what authority I 
do these things. The baptism [ministry] of 
John the Baptist, was it from heaven, or of 



84 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

men V That is, John professed to be a prophet 
sent by God : was he a true prophet, or a vile 
impostor ? This question threw them into an 
inextricable difficulty. If they should confess 
John to be a holy man and a true prophet, the 
question would at once arise, Why do ye reject 
his testimony, and refuse to acknowledge the 
person whom he pointed out as the true Mes- 
siah ? But if they should say, John was a false 
prophet, they feared the people, who held him 
in the highest esteem, would stone them. They 
therefore agreed to answer that they could not 
tell whether John was a true prophet or not. 
But this answer gained them nothing : for if 
they did not know but John might have been a 
true prophet, then how could they pretend to 
know that Jesus was riot the true Messiah? 
Jesus accordingly gave them to understand, that 
as they had confessed they could not tell a true 
from a false prophet, they were of course unfit 
to judge of his claims to the Messiahship, and 
he should not submit the matter to their judg- 
ment. 

Having been thus foiled in their first attempt, 
they went away to contrive a second. Their 
malice sharpened their invention, and they hit 
upon a plot as ingenious as it was diabolical. 
The design was, to either oblige him to renounce 
his claims to the Messiahship, or involve him in 
the charge of sedition against the Romans. To 
accomplish this, they sent spies to engage him 
in conversation on the subject of paying taxes 
to the Roman government. These vile hypo- 



LITE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



85 



crites came, pretending great veneration for Je- 
sus, and wishing him to relieve them in a question 
where their tender consciences were in per- 
plexity : " Master," said they, " we know that 
thou art true, and carest for no man ; for thou 
regardest not the person of men, but teachest 
the way of God in truth. Tell us, therefore, 
What thinkest thou ? Is it lawful to give tribute 
to Cesar or not ? Shall we give, or shall we 
not give ?" No device could have been more 
crafty or malicious. If he should say it was 
lawful to pay taxes to Cesar, then, according to 
their views, and the views of the people gene- 
rally, he would renounce his claim to the Mes- 
siahship ; for, in their opinion, the Messiah was 
to be a temporal prince. Indeed, they well 
knew that the nation were prepared to discard 
any one who claimed to be the Messiah, and 
yet confessed the supremacy of the Romans. 
But if he should say it was not lawful to pay 
tribute to Cesar, then they intended to deliver 
him up to the Roman power as a person who 
was stirring up a spirit of revolt among the 
people. 

Jesus was perfectly acquainted with this plot 
even while they were forming it. They were, 
however, allowed to proceed. Already they 
had gathered around him, and with assumed 
seriousness in their countenances, and soft 
words upon their tongues, had proposed their 
treacherous inquiry, when he met them with 
one of the most withering rebukes ever uttered. 
" Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites ?" said he, 



86 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

casting, no doubt, a glance upon them that went 
through their inmost souls. " Show me the 
tribute money." This was a Roman coin with 
the emperor's likeness upon it. The reception 
of such coin, as the government currency, was 
among all ancient nations the token of submis- 
sion. As the Jewish nation had received the 
Roman coin, and paid their taxes in it, they 
had by that act acknowledged the Roman au- 
thority. 

When a piece of this tribute money had been 
handed him, Jesus pointed to the image and 
the name of the emperor upon it, and asked, 
" Whose is this image and superscription ?" 
They replied, " Cesar's." " Render," said he, 
" unto Cesar the things which are Cesar's ; and 
unto God the things that are God's." That is, 
You have acknowledged Cesar as your ruler, 
and receive the protection of his government ; 
render therefore to him his lawful dues. At 
the same time, remember that God has claims 
upon you for that honesty, sincerity, and hu- 
manity, of which you have just proved your- 
selves to be utterly destitute. Go back repent- 
ing of your sins, and amending your lives, and 
thus begin to render to God the things that are 
his due. 

This was a most unlooked for reply. These 
adversaries of our Lord had come highly elated 
with their promising scheme, and were already 
delighting themselves with their anticipated 
success. But instead of success, they stand 
with the veil of their hypocrisy torn off ; re- 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



87 



buked and abashed before the whole company. 
No longer able to hold up their heads, they re- 
treated in silence, and covered with shame and 
confusion. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Jesus delivers his last discourse in the temple. 

The last discourse which Jesus delivered in 
the temple was in several respects unlike any 
to which the disciples had before listened. It 
was a last effort to save those who still halted 
between two opinions from the influence of 
those who were leading them to destruction ; 
and it contained some of the most fearful de- 
nunciations ever uttered against the wicked 
priests and rulers. 

He commenced by addressing his discourse 
to the disciples, and the multitude which sur- 
rounded him ; telling them not to disregard the 
teachings of the scribes and doctors of the 
law on account of their wickedness, but rather, 
as they read and expounded the moral law 
given by Moses, to observe it, and whatever 
else they taught agreeable to it. But while he 
charged them to obey their teachings so far as 
they were right, he warned them not to follow 
their example. " Do ye not after their works," 
said he, " for they say and do not. For they 
bind heavy bur leas, [their own burdensome in- 
ventions which they add to the word of God,] 



88 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's 
shoulders ; but they themselves will not move 
them with one of their fingers. But all their 
works they do for to be seen of men : they make 
broad their phylacteries,* and enlarge the bor- 
ders of their garments, and love the uppermost 
rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the syna- 
gogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be 
called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye 
called Rabbi : for one is your Master, even 
Christ ; and all ye are brethren. And call no 
man your father upon the earth : for one is your 
Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye 
called masters : for one is your Master, even 
Christ. But he that is greatest among you 
shall be your servant. And whosoever shall 
exalt himself shall be abased ; and he that shall 
humble himself shall be exalted. But wo 
unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! 
for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against 
men : [by doing all ye can to prevent them from 
repenting of their sins, and believing the gos- 
pel :] for ye neither go in yourselves, neither 
suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Wo 
unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! 
for ye devour [plunder, under pretence of reli- 
gion] widows' houses, and for a pretence [a 
cloak for your iniquity] make long prayers : 
therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. 
Wo unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypo- 

* Little scrolls of paper, or parchment, bound on 
their wrists and foreheads, on which were written texts 
of Scripture. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 89 

crites ! for ye compass sea and land to make 
one proselyte, [to the Jewish religion,] and 
when he is made, ye make him [by your per- 
nicious example] two-fold more the child of 
hell than yourselves. Wo unto you, scribes 
and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye pay tithe of 
mint, and anise, and cummin, [that is, ye are 
very exact about little things,] and hare omit- 
ted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, 
mercy, and faith : these ought ye to have done, 
and not to leuve the other undone. Ye blind 
guides, which strain out a gnat^ [from the liquor 
you drink,] and swallow a camel." That is, 
you pretend to fear the smallest sins, but you 
practise the grossest immoralities. 

" Wo unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypo- 
crites ! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, 
which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are 
within full of dead men's bones, and of all un- 
cleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear 
righteous unto men, but within ye are full of 
hypocrisy and iniquity. Wo unto you, scribes 
and Pharisees, hypocrites ! because ye build 
the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the 
sepulchres of the righteous, and say, If we had 
been in the days of our fathers, we would not 
have been partakers with them in the blood of 
the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto 
yourselves, that ye are the children of them 
which killed the prophets. [And of the same 
murderous dispositions.] Fill ye up then the 
measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye ge- 
neration of vipers, how can ye escape the 



90 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



damnation of hell ? Wherefore, behold, I send 
unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes ; 
[he calls the apostles by these names ;] and some 
of them ye shall kill and crucify ; and some of 
them ye shall scourge in your synagogues, and 
persecute them from city to city : that upon you 
may come all the righteous blood* shed upon 
the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto 
the blood of Zacharias, whom ye [Jews] slew 
between the temple and the altar.f Verily I 
say unto you, All these things shall come upon 
this generation." 

These were " terrible denunciations, but they 
proceeded from no resentment, no indignant 
feelings at the wrongs he himself had endured. 
They were wrung from this lover of his coun- 
try, this lover of the souls of his own people, 
by the stern necessity of reluctant justice, and 
were uttered amid the yearnings of the most 
compassionate sorrow." So fully had this be- 
nevolent feeling possessed his heart, that at 
the very time he approached the city, amid the 
loud hosannas of the joyful multitude, his com- 
passions burst forth, and he wept over devoted 
Jerusalem. While his tears flowed, he ex- 
claimed, " If thou hadst known, even thou, at 
least in this thy day, the things which belong 

* That is, Upon you shall come calamities equal to 
the accumulated woes brought upon men for rejecting 
the truth, and persecuting its righteous preachers, from 
the days of Abel to those of Zacharias. See 2 Chron. 
xxiv, 20-22. 

t The altar stood in the outer court. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



91 



unto thy peace ! but now they are hid from 
thine eyes. For the days shall come upon 
thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench 
about thee, and compass thee round, and keep 
thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even 
with the ground, and thy children within thee ; 
and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon 
another; because thou knewest not the time 
of thy visitation." 

After these faithful warnings to those who 
were bringing upon themselves and their nation 
swift destruction, the overflowings of his tender 
heart were again poured forth over the devoted 
city : — " O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that kill- 
est the prophets, and stonest them which are 
sent unto thee, how often would I have gather- 
ed thy children together, even as a hen gather- 
eth her chickens under her wings, and ye 
would not !" 

He then took his final farewell of th§ temple, 
and closed his labours within its walls, by again 
referring to the calamities about to come upon 
the place and the people ; and by predicting that 
the nation should one day receive him as the 
true Messiah, and greet him with, " Blessed is 

HE THAT COMETH IN THE NAME OF THE LORD." 



92 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

John and three of his companions make an important 
inquiry — Jesus's remarkable reply. 

As Jesus was retiring from the temple, hav- 
ing already intimated that he should never visit 
it again, the disciples gathered around him and 
called his attention to its beauty and magnifi- 
cence. He had predicted its destruction seve- 
ral days before, and they probably wished to 
intimate what a pitiable calamity they thought 
it, that such a noble and costly structure should 
be destroyed. " Master" said they, " see what 
manner of stones and buildings are here" Well 
might they say this. This stupendous building 
presented to the eye of the beholder one of the 
most imposing spectacles imaginable. With 
its courts^ it covered the summit of a lofty hill, 
and for its size, height, and the beauty of 
its architecture, was the admiration of the na- 
tions. Some of the stones in this superb edi- 
fice were more than sixty feet long, eight high, 
and nine broad ; and were of the whitest mar- 
ble. Josephus says it appeared at a distance 
like a mountain of snow. Some parts of it 
were richly gilded with gold, and reflected the 
sunbeams with such splendour as to dazzle the 
eyes of the beholder. 

In answer to the remarks of the disciples, 
Jesus uttered one of the most remarkable pre- 
dictions ever delivered. "See ye not all these 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 93 



things ?" said he : " Verily I say unto you, 

THERE SHALL NOT BE LEFT HERE ONE STONE 
UPON ANOTHER, THAT SHALL NOT BE THROWN 
DOWN." 

This prophecy was so singular as to be wor- 
thy of particular notice. In the first place, it 
predicted something very difficult. To demo- 
lish such a vast fabric, the work of ages, and 
of hundreds of thousands of men, and one of 
such massive masonry, so as not to leave one 
stone upon another, would be, of itself, a most 
gigantic undertaking. But if the difficulty was 
great, the improbability was still greater. No 
human motive for such a destruction could be 
imagined. In proportion as it was strong as a 
fortress, it would be important to any nation that 
might conquer the country. By making use of 
it as a citadel, they might overawe the whole 
country. The Romans, who then ruled Pales- 
tine, were very mild and tolerant toward the 
religions of all the nations they had conquered ; 
and of course, such a destruction could not be 
anticipated from them. Indeed, when the war 
broke out with that nation, their commanders 
showed the greatest anxiety to preserve the 
temple. Titus, the Roman general, gave strict 
orders to that effect ; but one greater than Titus 
had not only foretold, but determined that it 
should be otherwise, and so it proved. As we 
shall see in another chapter, the prediction was 
fulfilled to the very letter, and not one stone 
was left upon another which was not thrown 
down. 



94 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



After Jesus had spoken of the destruction of 
the temple, he retired with the disciples to the 
Mount of Olives. This is an elevation about a 
mile in length, and seven hundred feet in height. 
It is east of the city, and separated from it by 
the brook Kedron. From its summit almost 
every street could be distinctly traced. Here 
our Lord sat down. Before him was the city, 
with its walls and lofty towers, its palaces and 
magnificent temple. While here, John and his 
brother James, with Peter and Andrew, came 
and asked him privately to tell them when 
those things of which he had spoken should 
come to pass ; and what should be the sign of 
his coming to punish the Jewish nation, and 
establish his kingdom. They seem also to have 
supposed at this time that the day of judgment 
would be connected with these events. Hence 
they also inquire about " the end of the world" 
In reply to their inquiry, Jesus began with the 
judgments about to come upon the Jews, and 
from that rose into the higher subject, the judg- 
ment of the world in the last great day. 

In answer to that part of the inquiry in which 
they asked how they should know when the 
destruction coming upon the Jews was at hand, 
he gave them five signs which should precede 
its approach. 

First sign. — The first would be the ap- 
pearance of numbers of impostors who would 
assume his character, pretending to be the Mes- 
siah. Though the true Messiah had been re- 
jected, yet, he assured them, these vile impos- 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 95 



tors would readily gain credit, and obtain many 
followers. This was accurately fulfilled. Very 
soon after he left the world, one Simon Magus, 
or Simon the magician, appeared, claiming to be 
the Son of God. He was followed by Do si- 
theus, who pretended to be the Messiah foretold 
by Moses. Afterward appeared a pretender by 
the name of Theudas, who drew a great multi- 
tude after him. The Roman governor sent a 
troop of horse, who fell upon him and his com- 
pany, making great slaughter among them. 
Theudas was taken alive, and had his head 
cut off, and carried to Jerusalem. Finally, 
these impostors became so numerous, that more 
or less of them were taken and executed almost 
every day. By this timely caution of their 
Master, the apostles were prepared for these 
delusions, and stood ready to guard their bre- 
thren against them. 

Second sign. — The second sign was to be 
wars, and rumours of wars ; nation rising 
against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 

This was fulfilled by the strifes and insurrec- 
tions among the nations of Palestine, and the 
partial conflicts which took place before the 
final war between the Jews and Romans. 
"Whoever consults Josephus, will find this to 
have been a most stormy period, in which con- 
flicts, slaughters, alarms, and rumours, kept 
the nation in constant and fearful agitation. 
During this time twenty thousand Jews were 
slain by the Syrians in Cesarea. This so en- 
raged the nation, that numerous parties attack- 



96 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



ed the Syrian villages, plundering, burning, and 
making immense slaughter. The Syrians, in 
revenge, destroyed not a less number of Jews, 
and most of the cities where they dwelt together 
were divided between the two hostile parties. 
At Scythopolis the inhabitants compelled the 
Jews who dwelt among them to fight, against their 
own countrymen, and after the victory they basely 
fell upon them by night and murdered thirteen 
thousand. At Ascalon they killed two thousand 
five hundred, and at Ptolemais two thousand. 
At Alexandria the old enmity was revived be- 
tween the Jews and heathen, and many fell on 
both sides ; of the Jews to the number of fifty 
thousand. The people of Damascus conspired 
against the Jews of that city, and falling upon 
them while they were unarmed, slew ten thou- 
sand. 

Third sign. — "And there shall be famines 
and pestilences." These came as Jesus pre- 
dicted. There was a famine foretold by Aga- 
bus, (Acts xi, 28,) and which took place during 
the reign of Claudius Cesar. It was so severe 
at Jerusalem that many perished. A second 
also occurred during the reign of the same em- 
peror, and others, which were not so extensive, 
and affected smaller sections of country. 

Pestilences always follow famines. They are 
brought on by scarcity of food and by unwhole- 
some provisions. 

Fourth sign. — This was to be that terri- 
ble scourge called earthquakes, and they were 
to occur in various peaces. Whatever may be 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 97 



the natural causes by which these are brought 
about, they are uniformly represented in Scrip- 
ture as judgments sent by God. " The earth 
shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall 
be removed like a cottage, and the transgression 
thereof shall be heavy upon it."* " Thou shalt 
be visited of the Lord of hosts with thunder, and 
with earthquake, and with great noise ."f As 
Jesus had predicted, these too came in their 
time. They afflicted many of those places where 
the Jews were scattered : such as Smyrna, Mi- 
letus, Chios, Samos, Laodicea, Colosse, Cam- 
pania, and Rome. 

Fifth sign. — This was to be, " Fearful 
sights, and great signs from heaven" Josephus,J 
without at all intending to do so, has given a 
striking comment upon these words " There 
was," says he, " a comet in the form of a fiery 
sword, which for a year together did hang over 
the city. Before the first revolt and war, the 
people being gathered together to the feast of 
unleavened bread, on the eighth of April, at the 
ninth hour of the night, there was as much light 
about the altar and temple as if it had been 
bright day. This remained half an hour. At 
the same festival, the inner gate of the temple 
on the east side, being of massy brass, which 
required at least twenty men to shut it, was 

* Isaiah xxiv. f Isaiah xxix. 

t Tacitus, the celebrated Roman historian, agrees 
with Josephus in describing events so surprising and 
supernatural, that both their narratives perfectly accord 
with the previous prediction. — Keith. 

7 



98 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

seen at midnight to open of its own accord. Not 
long after the feast-days, on the twenty-first of 
May, before the sun set, were seen in the air 
chariots and armies in battle array, passing along 
in the clouds and investing the city. And upon 
the feast of pentecost, at night, the priests, going 
into the inner temple to attend their wonted 
service, said, they first felt the place to move 
and tremble : after that they heard a voice 
which said, Let us depart hence. But that which 
was most wonderful of all, one Jesus, the son 
of Ananus, of the common people, four years 
before the war began, when the city flourished 
in peace and riches, coming to the celebration 
of the feast of taberrfacles at Jerusalem, sud- 
denly began to cry out thus : A voice from the 
east, a voice from the west, a voice from the four 
winds, a voice against Jerusalem and the temple, 
a voice against men and women newly married, a 
voice against all this people. And thus crying, 
day and night, he went about all the streets of 
the city." Josephus adds, " that he was scourged 
by some of the nobility, but, without speaking a 
word for himself, he persevered crying as be- 
fore ; that he was carried before Albinus, the 
Roman general, who caused him to be beaten 
till his bones appeared. But that he neither 
entreated nor wept, but, as well as he could, 
framing a weeping voice, he cried at every 
stroke, Wo, wo to Jerusalem:" that he went 
on thus crying, chiefly upon holydays, for the 
space of seven years and five months, till in the 
time of the siege, beholding what he had fore- 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



99 



told, he ceased. And that then, once again 
going about the city, on the wall, " he cried 
with a loud voice, Wo, wo to the city, temple, 
and people ; and lastly he said, Wo also to my- 
self. Which words were no sooner uttered, 
than a stone thrown out of an engine smote 
him, and so he yielded up the ghost, lamenting 
them all." 

" But before all these," said the Saviour — 
" before the appearing of the false Christs, the 
wars and rumours of wars, the famines, pesti- 
lences, and earthquakes, they shall lay their 
hands on you and persecute you, delivering you 
up to the synagogues and into prisons, and ye 
shall be brought before kings and rulers for my 
name's sake. And it shall turn to you for a 
testimony ; [your patient sufferings shall stand 
as an evidence of your innocence, and the guilt 
of your persecutors in rejecting the gospel : 
but as the Holy Spirit shall inspire your an- 
swers ;] settle it in your hearts not to meditate 
beforehand any reply. For I will give you a 
mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries 
shall not be able to gainsay nor resist." 

These words were not only intended to apply 
to the apostles personally, but also to others of 
the followers of Jesus. How accurately those 
relating to their persecutions were fulfilled may 
be learned from the Roman historians, Tacitus 
and Suetonius, who have given an account of 
the persecutions raised against the Christians 
by the emperor Nero. But the Acts of the 
Apostles gives the best comment upon the pas- 



100 LIFE OK JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



sage. There we learn, that soon after the ascen- 
sion of the Saviour these very persecutions 
commenced, and were carried forward with the 
most relentless and blood-thirsty cruelty. 

Having thus given to John and his compa- 
nions a history of the singular and striking 
events which should precede, Jesus next con- 
ducted their minds to the final calamity, the 
destruction of the city and temple, and the over- 
throw of the nation. This he did in a manner 
that showed at once his infinite foreknowledge, 
and his most tender care for his followers. He 
told them when they saw Jerusalem encompassed 
with armies, and the abomination of desolation 
[the Roman ensigns, to which they offered idol- 
atrous sacrifices, and which were therefore an 
abomination to the Jews] standing near the 
holy place, then they might know that the deso- 
lation which he had predicted was nigh. 
" Then," said he, " let them which are in Judea 
flee to the mountains, and let them which are 
in the midst of it depart out, and let not them 
that are in the surrounding countries enter 
herein. For these be the days of vengeance, 
that all things which are written may be ful- 
filled." 

In this prediction one thing is worthy of spe- 
cial attention. Our Lord tells the apostles, and 
through them all his followers, to make their 
escape at a particular time. But that would 
seem the most unlikely time imaginable for an 
escape. They were to wait until they had seen 
Jerusalem encompassed with armies. All the 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 101 

commotions which should precede this event 
were not to alarm them, and they were not to 
go until the place had been actually invested 
by a hostile army. They must have had strong 
confidence in their Master, or they would never 
be induced to wait until an army had already 
shut them in. But such faith they had, and the 
event showed that their confidence had not 
been misplaced. After all the signs he had 
predicted had come to pass, and the war had 
broken out between the Jews and Romans, Ces- 
tius Gallus, the Roman general, appeared before 
Jerusalem at the head of a large army. The 
city was not prepared for defence, and might 
easily have been taken. Indeed, some of the 
principal inhabitants offered to open the gates, 
and give him an immediate entrance. But, con- 
trary to all expectation, he suddenly broke up 
his camp and retreated. The Christians then 
knew that the time spoken of by their Master 
had come. They immediately left Jerusalem 
and retired to Pella, and other places beyond 
the Jordan, and there is no evidence that a sin- 
gle one of them perished. As Jesus had said, 
not a hair of their heads perished through the 
whole calamity which so terribly swept over 
their country. 

It was quite customary with our Lord, when 
instructing his disciples, to rise from a lower up 
to a higher subject, and from speaking of tem- 
poral things to discourse upon those which were 
spiritual and eternal. He did so on this occa- 
sion. From the judgments coming upon the 



102 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



Jews his discourse led the minds of his hearers 
forward to the judgment of the great day. 
This was very natural and very proper. It was 
very natural, because his coming to inflict judg- 
ments upon a wicked nation furnished a striking 
type of his coming to judge the world, and in- 
flict their final doom upon wicked men. It was 
very proper, because nothing short of motives 
drawn from the righteous awards of the great 
day could sufficiently fortify the minds of the 
apostles for their approaching conflicts. They 
were about to engage in the most arduous la- 
bours, and to pass through the most dreadful 
persecutions. They were to be hunted down 
by their persecutors as though they were the 
common enemies of mankind. The time was 
fast approaching when they would be forced to 
exclaim, " If in this life only we have hope, we 
are of all men most miserable." To prepare 
them for these trials, our Lord carries their 
minds forward from the scene of their labours 
and sufferings to the period of their great re- 
ward. He had already told them of the humi- 
liation to which they were to see him, their 
Master, exposed ; how he was to suffer and die. 
He now tells them of his exaltation, as the 
punisher of the wicked, and the rewarder of his 
saints. He assures them that he who is now 
about to deliver himself up to crucifixion and 
death, shall then be seen coming in his glory, 
attended by his holy angels, and seated upon the 
throne of his glory. That all nations shall 
then be assembled before him, and be separated 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 103 



as a shepherd divideth the sheep from the goats. 
That he will then say to the righteous, " Come, 

YE BLESSED OF MY FATHER, INHERIT THE 
KINGDOM PREPARED FOR YOU FROM THE FOUN- 
DATION of the world." But to those on the 
left, the wicked, who have lived and died in sin, 
he will say, " Depart from me, ye cursed, 

INTO EVERLASTING FIRE, PREPARED FOR THE 
DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS." 

He then concluded his discourse with this 
most solemn declaration : " And these [the 
wicked] shall go away into everlasting 

PUNISHMENT I BUT THE RIGHTEOUS INTO LIFE 

eternal." Reader, that day you will see ; 
of that assembly you will be one ; and sure as 
there is a God in heaven, it will be said to you, 
" Come, ye blessed," or " Depart, ye cursed." 
— Prepare to meet thy God. 



CHAPTER XV. 
The last Supper. 

The Jews held three great annual religious 
festivals. One of these was called the feast of 
the passover. It had its origin in a very remark- 
able event, the account of which you may find 
in the twelfth chapter of Exodus. This festival 
was now at hand, and as thousands would as- 
semble at Jerusalem from different parts of 
Judea, and even from the surrounding countries, 



104 LIFK OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

Jesus intended to improve this public occasion 
for finishing the great business on which he 
came into the world. Accordingly, he told the 
disciples plainly, that at this feast he should 
yield himself up into the hands of his enemies, 
who would betray and crucify him. This was 
sad news to John and his afflicted companions ; 
but they received it in sorrowing silence, and 
endeavoured to prepare for the worst. 

The feast day at length arrived, and the dis- 
ciples inquired where they should prepare to 
eat the passover ? As this was the last time 
he was to eat with them before his death, Jesus 
wished a place of retirement and privacy. 
Though Jerusalem was crowded at this time, 
and most of the houses filled, he well knew 
where to find such a place. Accordingly, he 
sent John and Peter in search of it. " Go," 
said he, " into the city, and ye shall find a man 
bearing a pitcher of water ; follow him." Hav- 
ing entered into the house to which he led the 
way, they were to say to the owner of it, " The 
Master saith, My time is at hand ; I will keep 
the passover at thy house." This man, Jesus 
told them, would show them a large upper room, 
ready furnished, and there they were to make 
ready the paschal supper. 

How clearly did the disciples see in these 
instructions the infinite knowledge of their Mas- 
ter ! First, they were to find a man with a 
pitcher of water. Secondly, they were to fol- 
low him home. Thirdly, in that house there 
would be a suitable room for Jesus and his 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 105 

twelve disciples. Fourthly, it would be unoc- 
cupied and unengaged. Fifthly, it would be 
furnished. Sixthly, the owner would readily 
consent to let them use it for the occasion. 

John and Peter went as they were directed, 
and found all things as Jesus had foretold. 
They then had a lamb procured, which, being 
killed by the priests, was roasted. A sauce of 
bitter herbs and unleavened cakes, and some 
wine, were also prepared. Having thus made 
ready, they returned to their Master, who still 
remained on the Mount of Olives, with the other 
disciples. 

At evening Jesus, with the twelve, entered 
the city, and proceeding to the house where 
John and Peter had made ready, they sat down 5 
or rather, according to the eastern custom, re- 
clined around the table. Here was a most 
affecting picture. Jesus, the pattern of all ex- 
cellence, the beauty of all perfection, the Being 
of whom the world was not worthy, sitting down 
for the last time before his death to commune 
with his little circle of chosen friends. Of all 
the social circles ever assembled, this was the 
most interesting. Of all the conversation that 
ever passed, none was ever more important than 
that which passed during this, interview. Of 
all the great men ever assembled, never was 
there a company together that were destined to 
exert so vast an influence on the destiny of the 
world, as those who composed this little circle. 
I may also add, that never was a company of 
friends convened under more tender and affecting 



106 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

circumstances. Every word which falls from the 
lips of the Master is listened to with the most 
eager attention. Every varying tone is noted 
with anxiety, and every changing feature of the 
countenance calls forth the changing emotions 
of these affectionate disciples. Such are the 
feelings pervading this little company, while 
Jesus, with mild and persuasive tenderness, is 
teaching them a lesson of kindness and conde- 
scension toward each other. But suddenly, 
methinks, as though something the most painful 
had interrupted the gentle flow of his sympa- 
thies, his countenance and voice change, and 
he sorrowfully exclaims, " Verily, verily, I say 
unto you, that one of you shall betray me." The 
astonished disciples sit some time in silence 
and sorrow, looking upon one another, and won- 
dering who it can be. Beginning to search 
their own hearts, to ascertain whether it was 
possible that such wickedness could be found 
there, and anxious to be relieved from their 
painful suspense, each begins to ask, "Is it I ?" 
" Is it I ?" John was at this time sitting next 
to Jesus, and reclining his head near to his 
breast. As already remarked, his sweet and 
amiable disposition made him peculiarly dear 
to his Master, who honoured him with peculiar 
confidence and familiarity. Peter was anxious 
to have the matter settled. He not only wished 
to know that his Master did not suspect him of 
any such treachery, but to learn which one it 
was, that the rest might avoid him and prevent 
his wicked design. But afraid to ask himself, 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 107 



he beckoned to John to have him inquire pri- 
vately of Jesus. John then turned and whisper- 
ed in his Master's ear, " Lord, who is it ?" Je- 
sus replied in the same manner, that he would 
dip a piece of bread into the sauce, and give it 
to the person of whom he had spoken. He then 
dipped the bread in a sauce made in the cus- 
tomary manner, of dates, raisins, and other in- 
gredients, and gave it to Judas Iscariot. John 
then knew, and the rest soon learned that he 
was the traitor. The fact was, this wretched 
man had already been to the chief priests and 
rulers, and inquired what they would give him 
if he would betray Jesus into their hands. They 
offered him thirty pieces of silver, about fifteen 
dollars, and he agreed for this paltry sum to 
deliver his innocent Master up to these men, 
who thirsted for his blood. As the presence of 
such an infamous person could not be otherwise 
than painful to the disciples, and as there was 
no hope of his receiving any benefit by remain- 
ing, Jesus gave him to understand that his vil- 
lany was known, and he might as well perform 
his inhuman act at once. This, no doubt, stung 
the traitor, and he left the room. 

Judas being gone, and confidence restored in 
the social circle, Jesus went on to instruct, ad- 
monish, and encourage the eleven. His dis- 
course, or conversation throughout, is marked 
with such wisdom, dignity, and tenderness, and 
is so consolatory, that it forms altogether one of 
the most important portions of the word of God. 
It made a most deep impression on the mind of 



108 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

the amiable John, and he alone of all the evan- 
gelists has recorded it at length. The reader's 
time could hardly be better employed than by 
pausing here to read carefully the whole of it. 
But I shall only insert such parts as are neces- 
sary to give a correct impression of this inter- 
esting period in the life of John. 

Jesus first went on to remind them that he 
had now but a little time to remain with them ; 
that they would earnestly desire his presence 
after he was gone ; but must wait a while be- 
fore they could again enjoy it. And that now, 
as he was going away, one of the chief objects 
of his anxiety was, that they should love one 
another. This, he assured them, should be the 
token by which all men should know that they 
were his disciples, even that with a strength 
and tenderness of affection beyond what had 
ever before been known they should cleave to 
one another. Exalted as this lesson was, it did 
not make for the time being very much impres- 
sion upon Peter's mind. He was entirely taken 
up with the idea of his Master's going away. 
Interrupting the Saviour, he inquired, " Lord, 
where goest thou ?" Jesus replied, " Where I 
go, thou canst not follow me now, but thou shalt 
follow me hereafter." " But why can I not fol- 
low thee now V- said Peter : " I will lay down 
my life for thy sake." All the rest responded 
in similar terms. They were willing, they said, 
to go with their Master to prison, or to death. 
But alas ! these poor disciples had not yet learn- 
ed that their faith was too weak for such a trial. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



109 



They did not know how reluctantly life is part- 
ed with, and how hard it is to suffer death. 
Jesus told the over confident Peter, that but a 
few hours would pass before he would deny 
him. and he afterward assured all the rest that 
their courage would fail, and they would forsake 
him, a.nd leave him alone in his approaching 
trial. 

He then went on addressing them in the 
most encouraging language. He told them not 
to be troubled at the thoughts of his departure, 
or the trials and persecutions before them : but 
to trust in God, their almighty protector, and in 
him, their Saviour, who, whether present or 
absent in body, would be always mindful of 
them and ready to help them. 

He next spoke of the glorious mansions of 
rest in his Father's kingdom, where they should 
soon receive their final and great reward. " I 
go," said he, " to prepare a place for you. And 
if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come 
again, and receive you unto myself ; that where 
I am, there ye may be also." 

Having alluded to the miracles which they 
had seen him perform, he promised them power 
to perform the like, and even greater ;* and also 
gave them the most gracious assurance of an- 
swers to their prayers. 

Next, the Holy Spirit as a comforter, sancti- 
fier, and guide, was promised. This was a 
promise of the utmost importance. Was their 

* This, perhaps, refers chiefly to their success in turn- 
ing men from sin to holiness. 



110 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

Master about to leave them, and had sorrow- 
filled their hearts ? Were they about to launch 
forth upon a tempestuous ocean of labours, 
crosses, persecutions, and sufferings ? And did 
they ask, Who shall sustain us amid all this ? 
These were, doubtless, the anxious inquiries 
which arose in their minds ; and Jesus does not 
even wait for them to express them. He kindly 
meets their rising fears, and answers, " The Holy 
Ghost shall come in my name, and shall be 
with you as another Comforter, to whom you 
may resort at all times and in all places." 

But the promise was still farther important. 
The apostles were still weak in faith and in 
grace. We see this in their disputes about the 
pre-eminence, in their fear of their enemies, and 
in a variety of instances in their history. But the 
Holy Spirit was to come, to give them a larger 
measure of grace, to imbue them with the spirit 
of holiness, and to raise them up to a most ex- 
alted state of piety and communion with God. 

Once more we see their views of their Mas- 
ter's kingdom, of the designs of his death, his 
resurrection and ascension, were yet crude and 
imperfect. Jesus had led them along, step by 
step, and taught them as fast as they were able 
to receive and improve his instructions. But 
the Spirit was to complete their instructions, 
and lead them to a perfect knowledge of the 
whole system of gospel truth. 

At the conclusion of the supper, Jesus took 
bread, and having given thanks, broke it and 
gave it to the disciples, saying, " Take, cat ; 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



Ill 



this is my body" He then took a cup of wine, 
and said, " This is my blood of the new testa- 
ment, which is shed for many for the remission of 
sins" That is, " I give you this broken bread 
to represent my broken body, which is about to 
be wounded and put to death, as a sacrifice to 
divine justice for the sins of men. I also give 
you this wine as the representative of my blood, 
which is soon to be shed for you and for all 
mankind." This was the origin of the sacra- 
ment of the Lord's supper, which the fol- 
lowers of Christ received from the inspired 
apostles, and have kept up ever since. It is a 
very edifying and useful ordinance, and serves 
as a perpetual and affecting memorial of the 
sufferings and death of our blessed Lord for 
our salvation. 

Jesus and the disciples then joined in sing- 
ing a hymn. This consisted of the six psalms, 
from the hundred and thirteenth to the hundred 
and eighteenth. After this was finished, they 
arose and departed to the Mount of Olives. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Chrises Intercessory Prayer offered on the Mount of 
Olives. 

As he sat on the Mount of Olives, Jesus re- 
sumed his discourse. It was his custom to draw 
his illustrations from the objects that surrounded 
him. The works of creation, with all their di- 



112 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



versity, beauty, and order, were perfectly fami- 
liar to him. Did a valley, adorned with fruits 
and flowers, lie spread out at his feet ; or a 
flight of sparrows pass over his head : did a fig 
tree stand by the wayside ; or a mountain rise in 
the distance ; he could draw from these the most 
impressive lessons of instruction. On this oc- 
casion the vine probably spread its mantling 
branches near them ; perhaps, over their heads. 
Jesus therefore began his discourse by a happy 
allusion to this useful plant. " I am the vine," 
said he, 4 6 and my Father is the husbandman. 
Every branch in me [every one professing to 
be my disciple] that beareth not fruit, [the fruit 
of holiness,] he taketh away ; and every branch 
that beareth fruit, he pruneth it that it may bring 
forth more fruit. Abide in me, and I in you. 
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except 
it abide in the vine ; no more can ye, except 
ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the 
branches : he that abideth in me, and I in him, 
the same bringeth forth much fruit ; for without 
me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in 
me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is wither- 
ed ; and men gather them, and cast them into 
the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in 
me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask 
what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear 
much fruit ; so shall ye be my disciples. As 
the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: 
continue ye in my love. If ye keep my com- 
mandments, ye shall abide in my love ; even as 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 113 

I have kept my Father's commandments, and 
abide in his love. These things have I spoken 
unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and 
that your joy might be full." 

Jesus then once more reminded them of the 
persecutions that awaited them. He told them 
the time would come when their countrymen 
should thrust them out of the synagogues as 
persons unworthy to worship God, or even 
be present in a place of worship : and more 
than this, their enemies would be given up to 
such infatuation that they would even esteem 
themselves to be doing God service by killing 
them. These things, he said, he had told them 
beforehand, that they might not be discouraged 
or turned aside by them. Having then assured 
them that the Father loved them, because they 
had loved him, and had believed in him as the 
true Messiah, and promised them that in the 
midst of all their trials they should have great 
peace, he concluded by offering up the follow- 
ing inimitable prayer. It has been called his 
intercessory prayer, because it is considered 
as a pattern of the intercession which he now 
makes for his people in heaven. 

our lord's intercessory prayer. 

" Father, the hour is come ; glorify thy Son, 
that thy Son also may glorify thee : as thou 
hast given him power over all flesh, that he 
should give eternal life to as many as thou hast 
given him. And this is life eternal, that they 
might know thee the only true God, and Jesus 
8 



114 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified 
thee on the earth : I have finished the work 
which thou gavest me to do. And now, O 
Father, glorify thou me with thine own self 
with the glory which I had with thee before the 
world was. 

" I have manifested thy name unto the men 
which thou gavest me out of the world : thine 
they were, and thou gavest them me ; and they 
have kept thy word. Now they have known 
that all things, whatsoever thou hast given me, 
are of thee : for I have given unto them the 
words which thou gavest me ; and they have 
received them, and have known surely that I 
came out from thee, and they have believed 
that thou didst send me. I pray for them : I 
pray not [now] for the world, but for them which 
thou hast given me ; for they are thine. And 
all mine are thine, and thine are mine ; and I 
am glorified in them. And now I am no more 
in the world, but these are in the world, and I 
come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine 
own name those whom thou hast given me, 
that they may be one, as we are. While I was 
with them in the world, I kept them in thy 
name : those that thou gavest me I have kept, 
and none of them is lost, but the son of perdi- 
tion ; that the scripture might be fulfilled. And 
now come I to thee ; and these things I speak 
in the world, that they might have my joy ful- 
filled in themselves. I have given them thy 
word ; and the world hath hated them, because 
they are not of the world, even as I am not of 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 115 



the world. I pray not that thou shouldst take 
them out of the world, but that thou shouldst 
keep them from the evil. They are not of the 
world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify 
them through thy truth ; thy word is truth. As 
thou hast sent me into the world, even so have 
I also sent them into the world. And for their 
sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be 
sanctified through the truth. 

" Neither pray I for these alone, but for them 
also which shall believe on me through their 
word ; that they all may be one, as thou, Father, 
art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be 
one in us : that the world may believe that thou 
hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest 
me I have given them ; that they may be one, 
even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, 
that they may be made perfect in one ; and that 
the world may know that thou hast sent me, 
and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. 
Father, I will that they also whom thou hast 
given me be with me where I am ; that they 
may behold my glory, which thou hast given 
me : for thou lovedst me before the foundation 
of the world. O righteous Father, the world 
hath not known thee : but I have known thee, 
and these have known that thou hast sent me. 
And I have declared unto them thy name, and 
will declare it ; that the love wherewith thou 
hast loved me may be in them, and I in them." 



11G LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

The scene in the garden. 

From the mount of Olives Jesus went with 
the disciples over the brook Kedron, and en- 
tered a garden called Gethsemane.* As no gar- 
dens were allowed in Jerusalem, they abound- 
ed in the suburbs, or outskirts of the city. The 
country seats of the wealthy were here taste- 
fully laid out. Clusters of olive trees and 
overhanging vines formed pleasant arbours and 
shaded walks. Amid these agreeable scenes 
Jesus delighted to walk or sit with his disciples. 
The garden called Gethsemane appears to have 
been a delightful spot. The name signifies the 
valley of fatness. This particular garden was 
a favourite retirement with our Lord, and he 
now sought it for the last time. As they en- 
tered, Jesus said to the disciples, " Sit ye here 
while I go yonder and pray." Accompanied 
by Peter, James, and John, whom he chose to 
witness the scene about to follow, he went for- 
ward to a spot of still greater seclusion : — 

* As John was one of the three chosen witnesses of 
the agony in the garden, it would be improper to omit 
an account of so important a transaction. And as this 
scene had already been described in the Life of Peter, 
and the writer did not see that he should be likely to 
make it better by altering, he concluded to insert the 
same here. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



117 



" He knelt — the Saviour knelt and pray'd, 
When but his Father's eye 
Look'd through the lonely garden shade 

On that dread agony. 
The Lord of all, above, beneath, 
Was bow'd with sorrow unto death." 

The sea of sorrows which overwhelmed him, 
(when, for our sins, it " pleased the lord to 

BRUISE HIM AND PUT HIM TO GRIEF,") nOW 

began to flow in upon him. The cup of trem- 
bling was presented to his lips, and with mov- 
ing emphasis he said to the three who had 
accompanied him, " My soul is exceeding 

SORROWFUL EVEN UNTO DEATH '. TARRY YE 

here and watch with me." He then went 
a little beyond them, and falling on his face, 
" offered up prayers and supplications with 
strong crying and tears" But in the midst of 
this unutterable anguish, he did not forget the 
approaching trial of his disciples. Prompted 
by tender solicitude, he returned ; but found 
them sleeping. St. Luke says, " He found 
them sleeping for sorrow." For several days 
they had been in constant excitement and 
anxiety of mind. The words of their Master . 
had induced the hourly expectation of a visit 
from his enemies ; and his prediction had filled 
them with concern and alarm. And now when 
they heard his piercing cries, and saw his 
tears, their sorrows had finally exhausted their 
animal spirits, and frail nature sunk under the 
load. Approaching them, Jesus said to Peter, 
u What, could ye not watch with me one hour ?" 



118 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE- 

He then added, in allusion to the events which 
were at hand, " Watch and pray, that ye enter 
not into temptation. The spirit indeed is will- 
ing ; but the flesh is weak." Affectionate lan- 
guage — kindly cautioning, and tenderly excus- 
ing. The special address to Peter was touching 
in the extreme. It was as though he had said, 
What, Peter, thou who art ready to die with 
thy Master, canst thou not watch with me one 
hour? and that the hour of his unutterable 
agony ? See now thy weakness ; be no longer 
over-confident in thyself, but resort to prayer ; 
fly to the strong for strength, and rest only on 
the arm of thy omnipotent God. 

Returning again, he prayed, saying, " my 
Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, 
except I drink it, thy will be done." He was 
now in the place of a guilty world, bearing 
their transgressions ; and his prayer was not 
that he might escape death, or be exempted 
from suffering ; but after he had drunk so largely 
of the cup of trembling, the time might be 
shortened — that it might "pass away" By the 
substitution of himself in the place of a guilty 
world he had given up all right to decide this 
question for himself ; but it was his privilege 
to ask in submission, as he now asked, and he 
was heard and answered. Of this, St. Paul 
assures us, declaring that when he had "offered 
up prayers and supplications, with strong cry- 
ing and tears, he was heard." 

Coming back to his disciples, he found them 
again overpowered by sleep. The third time 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 119 

he departed, and prayed, and as already inti- 
mated, his prayer was heard. He rejoined the 
disciples in a state of composure, evincing the 
interposition which had been made in answer 
to his request. 

Knowing that his murderers were now in 
pursuit of him, and near at hand, he addressed 
the disciples in language purporting that he no 
longer enjoined watchfulness and devotion as 
a preparation for the approaching trial ; as the 
hour for which those duties were intended to 
fit them had already come. He informed 
them that the traitor was then approaching 
with his bloody band ; and called on them to 
arise, that they might go and join the other 
disciples, whom they had left in another part 
of the garden. 

Scarcely had he spoken, w r hen a furious mob, 
armed with swords, and clubs, or staves, and 
bearing lanterns and torches, made their ap- 
pearance, led on by the traitor Judas. The 
wretch who had sold his Master to the chief 
priests and elders, for a few paltry pieces of 
silver, approached, and, in true traitor style, 
gave him a kiss. This was the preconcerted 
signal by which they were to distinguish Jesus ; 
and was no sooner given than the ruffian band 
rushed forward to seize their victim. 

Always forward and impetuous, Peter dis- 
played his usual character on this, as on other 
occasions. He drew his sword, and smote 
one of the company, cutting off his right ear. 
He probably thought of setting an example of 



120 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

courageous resistance to the other disciples, 
and supposed the power of his Lord equal to 
the task of saving by many or few. In this 
latter view he was not mistaken ; and our Lord 
chose to give a slight evidence of it. Inquiring 
of the armed multitude, " Whom seek ye V 
and receiving for reply, " Jesus of Nazareth," 
he said, "I am he." At this word, attended 
by a slight emanation of his power, the whole 
company " went backward, and fell to the 
ground" Perhaps this circumstance led Peter 
to conclude his Master intended to defend him- 
self, and induced the act just named. But it 
was an act of mistaken zeal, and called forth a 
mild reproof from the Saviour. It also gave 
occasion for a new display of the mild and 
merciful character of our Lord. He put forth 
his hand, and touched the ear of the wounded 
man, which was immediately restored ; while 
he reminded Peter that his kingdom was not to 
be sustained by carnal weapons. 

The events which John and his companions 
had witnessed* in the garden were some of the 
most important that ever occurred in our world. 
It was then that Jesus bore a chief part of the 
weight of our sorrows, or, in other words, suf- 
fered for our sins. Yes, my dear reader, the 

* It was full moon at this time, which gave John, 
James, and Peter a full opportunity to witness the 
agony in the garden. The torches and lanterns brought 
by the persons sent to apprehend Jesus were for the 
purpose of searching for him, if he should attempt to 
conceal himself. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



121 



untold and inconceivable agonies of that hour 
were for us. The load of our sins was laid 
upon our Divine Redeemer ; a load which 
would have sunk a guilty world in everlasting 
misery and despair, had he not condescended 
to provide for our rescue. Can you think of 
this dear reader, and remain unmoved ? Can 
you close your heart against him who opened 
his to such a flood of sorrows for you ? Ra- 
ther will you not now 

" Give your wanderings o'er 
By giving him your heart ?" 

CHAPTER XVIII. 
The trial of Jesus—The end of Judas. 

Jesus now suffered himself to be taken by 
the armed band, and led forward toward the 
house of Annas, one of his chief enemies. He 
was father-in-law to Caiaphas the high priest, 
and had himself formerly held that office. Be- 
fore they reached his house, all the disciples 
had forsaken Jesus and fled. Alas ! poor hu- 
man nature. Their attachment was sincere 
and strong, but they were like a little company 
of innocent lambs surrounded by a host of 
prowling wolves. It is probable also that they 
were left to themselves to show them the vanity 
of self-dependance, and to lead them on all fu- 
ture occasions to depend only upon God. 

From the house of Annas the company went 



122 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

forward toward the palace of the high priest 
Caiaphas. By this time two of the disciples 
had so far recovered themselves as to deter- 
mine to follow the company and see the end. 
One of these is said to be Peter, and though 
the name of the other is not mentioned, there 
seems little reason to doubt that it was John 
himself. Through modesty he frequently omits 
to mention his own name, especially when his 
conduct places him in a favourable light. This 
appears to have been the case on this occasion, 
and instead of saying, Peter and himself fol- 
lowed, he says, " Peter followed, and so did 
another disciple." While Peter, drawn on by 
his affection, and yet retarded by his fears, fol- 
lowed at a distance, John led the way. Though 
naturally the most mild, diffident, and inoffen- 
sive of men, he seems on this occasion to have 
showed more real courage than all the rest. 

John, by some means, appears to have been 
known to Caiaphas. Perhaps he had some re- 
lative or friend residing in his family. Ac- 
cordingly, when he arrived at the gate of the 
palace, he was permitted to enter, while Peter 
remained without. Finding that Peter was not 
with him, John went and spoke to the servant 
maid who kept the gate, and then invited him 
in. Though John did not know it at this time, 
yet his Master knew that he was afterward to 
write a history of this trial, and he therefore, 
doubtless, preserved his mind so far in a state 
of composure, that he might attend to all that 
passed. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 123 

It was not so with Peter. His self-confident 
spirit needed a check, and he was now left to 
his own strength, that he might learn how vain 
it was. While he stood with the servants and 
others in the court of the palace warming him- 
self by a fire that had been kindled, the maid 
who kept the gate came up to him and said, 
" Art thou not also one of this man's disci- 
ples ?" Poor Peter ! he had rashly aimed a blow 
at the head of one of the high priest's servants ; 
his Master was in bonds, his enemies were 
ripe for mischief and blood, his own courage 
had forsaken him, and he found himself in 
weakness and fear. Alarmed by the accusa- 
tion of the servant maid, he denied being a dis- 
ciple of Jesus altogether. Not long after, his 
persevering accuser found him again, and again 
charged him with being one of the followers 
of Jesus. Peter denied a second time, and 
afterward a third, declaring that he did not 
even know Jesus. After this he turned to look 
at his Master in the distance, when his guilty 
eye met such a look of reproachful tenderness, 
of sorrow, pity, and disapprobation, as carried 
the keenest conviction to his heart. He was 
filled with remorse, and went out and wept bit- 
terly. Where he spent the following day we 
know not ; probably in some lonely retire- 
ment, weeping, trembling, and praying. And 
it is a pleasure to know, that as his sorrow was 
pungent, and his repentance sincere, so his 
pardon was full, and his restoration complete. 

In the mean time, we suppose John to have 



124 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

been witnessing the trial. And never was there 
a more shameful outrage upon every thing bear- 
ing the name of law or justice than took place 
at this pretended trial. First, the high priest 
began to inquire of Jesus concerning his disci- 
ples and his doctrine, why he drew so many 
people after him, and whether he pretended to 
be the Messiah. There seem to have been 
two points, on one or both of which they wish- 
ed to insnare and condemn him. First, his 
claiming to be the Son of God, which they 
regarded as blasphemy. Secondly, sedition 
against the Roman government. To insnare 
him on one or both of these points, the high 
priest artfully began to question him. To at- 
tempt to draw from a prisoner something which 
it was intended to use as a pretence for taking 
away his life, being a violation of law and jus- 
tice, Jesus very properly told him if he had 
done wrong, to prove the wrong by proper wit- 
nesses. " I spake openly to the world," said 
he, " I taught in the synagogues, and in the 
temple, whither the Jews resort, [in great num- 
bers,] and in secret have said nothing, [different 
from my public teachings.] Why askest thou 
me ? ask them that heard me, what I have said 
unto them ; behold, they know what I said." At 
this, one of the officers, pretending that he had 
answered the high priest irreverently, smote him 
with the palm of his hand. To this outrage 
Jesus mildly replied, " If I have spoken evil, 
bear witness of the evil ; but if well, why smitest 
thou me V 9 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 125 

Finding themselves unable to draw any thing 
from him on which they could found a pretext 
for passing sentence of condemnation, the coun- 
cil began to seek for witnesses. Numbers came 
forward, eager to testify, but their accounts 
were so confused and contradictory, so little to 
the purpose, or so incredible, that shame com- 
pelled them to reject their testimony. To all 
this mockery of law and justice, Jesus said 
nothing. At length two persons came forward 
to testify. One of them said he had heard Je- 
sus say he was able to destroy the temple and 
build it again in three days. The other seems 
to have given a different account, testifying, 
probably, that Jesus said he would destroy the 
temple, and build it again in three days. Both 
were a perversion of our Lord's words, who, 
calling his own body a temple, the temple of 
his soul, had said, 66 Destroy this temple, and 
in three days I will raise it up." Though the 
testimony of these two witnesses did not agree, 
yet the high priest pretended this was a mighty 
charge, and eagerly laid hold of it as proof that 
Jesus had spoken against the temple. But 
Jesus manifested no disposition to reply, and 
this baffled Caiaphas, who evidently was not 
quite bold enough to pronounce sentence of 
death upon so vague a charge, unless he could 
draw forth something farther. Designing pro- 
bably to intimidate his prisoner, and force some- 
thing from him, he rose up, and with a threat- 
ning aspect said, " Answerest thou nothing to 
what these witness against thee ?" Jesus calmly 



12G LIFE OF JOHN* THE APOSTLE. 



held his peace, which so completely baffled the 
high priest, that he dropped that point altoge- 
ther. Determined, however, to fasten some 
charge, he asked him whether he had, as was 
commonly reported, professed to be the Mes- 
siah, the Son of God. " I adjure thee," said 
he, " by the living God, that thou tell us whe- 
ther thou be the Christ, the Son of God." As 
Jesus knew they were determined to condemn 
him, he chose it should be upon this great truth ; 
and accordingly, he at once declared that he 
was the Messiah, the Son of God. He added, 
" Moreover, I say unto you, hereafter shall ye 
see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of 
power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." 

This not only marks the majesty and glory 
of his coming to judge the world, making as it 
were " the clouds his chariot, and riding upon 
the wings of the wind ;" but also shows that 
he alluded to the celebrated prophecy in the 
seventh chapter of Daniel. " I saw," says that 
prophet, " in the night, visions, and behold, one 
like unto the Son of man came with the clouds 
of heaven ; and came to the Ancient of days, 
and they brought him near before him ; and 
there was given him dominion and glory, and 
a kingdom, that all people, nations, and lan- 
guages should serve him." This prophecy our 
Lord applied to himself, declaring that as the 
Son of man, as well as the Son of God, he 
should receive this universal kingdom, and that 
the time was coming when they who now sat 
as his judges should see him invested with its 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 127 

glories, and armed with its sovereign authority. 
Thus his claims, both as the Christ and the 
Son of God, would be established to the con- 
fusion and punishment of those that now reject- 
ed him.* 

On hearing this declaration, Caiaphas, in pre- 
tence of grief, indignation, and astonishment, 
rent his garments, exclaiming, " He hath spoken 
blasphemy ; what need have we of farther wit- 
nesses ? behold, now ye have heard his blas- 
phemy. What think ye ?" They replied, " He 
is guilty of death." That is, in claiming to be 
the Son of God, he is guilty of blasphemy, 
and ought to die. 

The officers and creatures of the council 
then began to spit upon and to smite him with 
their fists and the palms of their hands. Then 
having blindfolded him, they exclaimed in pro- 
fane mockery and insulting derision, " Prophesy 
unto us, thou Christ, who is it that smote thee ?" 
Yet even in this they were fulfilling the Scrip- 
tures, and proving him to be the Messiah. Long 
before, their wicked violence and the uncom- 
plaining meekness of the object of their hate 
had been foretold. " 1 gave my back to the 
smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off 
the hair ; I hid not my face from shame and spit- 
ting:' 

The feelings of the tender-hearted and affec- 
tionate John must have amounted to agony and 
torture at witnessing such a scene as this. In- 
deed, it was too much for even Judas himself, 

* Watson. 



128 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

who, having watched the progress of the trial, 
and witnessed the treatment of his innocent 
Master, was stung with the most bitter remorse. 
Following the sanhedrim to the temple, to which 
they had probably adjourned, and bringing with 
him the reward of his treachery, he exclaimed, 
" I have sinned, in that I have betrayed the in- 
nocent blood." " What is that to us ?" replied 
the murderers : " see thou to that." As though 
the possession of the price of his iniquity ag- 
gravated his torment, he cast the money down 
before them, and went and hanged himself. 

The character and conduct of Judas afford 
a lesson of instruction on which it may be pro- 
per to dwell for a moment. The leading trait 
in his character was covetousness. Under the 
influence of this principle, he was probably in- 
duced to follow Jesus. In common with his 
countrymen, he expected the friends of the 
Messiah would obtain great riches, honours, 
and temporal advantages. The astonishing 
miracles which he saw Jesus perform, left no 
doubt upon his mind of his being the true Mes- 
siah ; and he was daily expecting he would 
commence his reign as a temporal prince. 
While this expectation was at its height, Jesus 
performed the miracle of feeding the five thou- 
sand ; and the people resolved on proclaiming 
him king. Elated at the prospect before him, 
Judas doubtless thought the golden prize was 
almost within his grasp. But how must he 
have been disappointed, when his Master not 
only refused the proffered royalty, but reproved, 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 129 

in the most pointed manner, the selfishness and 
worldly views of those who made the offer ! 
Still, though doubtless impatient under the de- 
lay, he continued to expect that Jesus would 
sooner or later set up a temporal kingdom. 
But these eager expectations were often chafed, 
not only by discovering in his Master an entire 
deadness to ambition and worldly grandeur, 
but also by his discouraging all ambitious views 
among his disciples. In addition to this, his 
covetousness had on one occasion received an 
open rebuke, which could hardly fail to offend 
a person of his disposition. While in this state 
of mind, he formed the scheme of betraying 
Jesus to the sanhedrim, composed of the chief 
priests, scribes, and elders. A learned and in- 
genious writer supposes his intention was, by 
betraying him, to compel him to avow himself 
as the Messiah before the sanhedrim ; not 
doubting but that he would perform such mira- 
cles in their presence as would induce them to 
proclaim him king ; and thus enable him to re- 
ward his followers. He supposes that even 
the rebukes which Judas received, though they 
offended him, might stimulate to the speedier 
execution of his plot, and especially at the feast 
of the passover, when so great a number of 
Jews were together, to join the sanhedrim and 
their Messiah, in throwing off the Roman go- 
vernment. 

The success of his plan, though against his 
Master's will, he might hope would procure his 
pardon, and even recommend him to favour 

9 



130 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



afterward. Such might have been the plausible 
temptation by which Satan led him to the com- 
mission of his crime. But when he saw, after 
having attended the whole trial, that it turned 
out quite contrary to his expectations ; that Jesus 
was condemned as a false Christ and a false 
prophet ; that he wrought no miracle for his own 
deliverance : when he farther reflected on his 
Master's fore warnings of his treachery, and 
mild and gentle rebuke at the time he com- 
mitted it ; when he considered his innocence 
and virtue, he was seized with remorse. Im- 
mediately he went to return the paltry bribe .of 
thirty pieces of silver, and to confess that he 
had betrayed innocent blood ; hoping, perhaps, 
that they might give up the prosecution. But 
he found them fiercely determined to persist. 
They threw the whole load of guilt upon him, 
refusing to take their own share, for they cool- 
ly replied, " What is that to us ? see thou to 
that." They loved the treason, but hated the 
traitor after he had served their bloody purpose. 
Stung to the quick by their refusal to take back 
the money, or relinquish the prosecution, he 
threw it down before them ; and then retiring 
to some lonely place, in the phrensy of despair, 
and at the instigation of Satan, he hanged him- 
self. Thus he crowned with suicide the mur- 
der of his Master and his friend ; rejected his 
compassionate Saviour, and plunged his own 
soul into perdition ; verifying the prediction of 
Jesus, " Good were it for that man if he had 
never been born." 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



131 



Peter, speaking of his death, says, that " fall- 
ing headlong, he burst asunder, and all his bow- 
els gushed out." This is easily reconciled 
with the account of his hanging himself, which 
might have been over a precipice, and the rope 
breaking, he might have been thus dashed in 
pieces. Or after death, or during the struggles 
of death, he might have been violently cast 
down from the place where he was hanging by 
the avenging hand of God, in order to make 
him a warning example to those who had been 
his companions in the same dreadful crime. 

The supposition that Judas was influenced 
by the motive of compelling our Lord to assume 
the Messiahship in its earthly glory is inge- 
nious and charitable. Whether it is correct or 
not, it is impossible to determine. One thing 
is certain, it furnishes a lesson which may well 
make us shudder. That is, that covetousness 
was the fearful sin which shut Judas out of 
heaven, and sent him, with all his crimes upon 
his head, into the presence of his Judge. Let 
him that readeth understand. 

The chief priests, seeing the money which 
Judas had thrown down, consulted what they 
should do with it. It was agreed among them 
that they could not lawfully put it into the trea- 
sury of the temple service ; because, as they 
very justly said, it was the price of blood. These 
vile hypocrites had no scruples against perjury, 
persecution, and murdering the innocent ; but 
they were very conscientious about a mere 
ceremony. They do not hesitate to give mo- 



132 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



ney for the shedding of innocent blood, but 
they cannot in conscience put that money into 
the treasury. Thus they " strain out the gnat, 
and swallow the camel." 

But even this part of the business was over- 
ruled by Divine Providence for the establish- 
ment of the truth. There was near Jerusalem 
a field out of which potter's clay had been dug, 
and which was consequently of little value for 
tillage. With the thirty pieces of silver, the 
chief priests agreed to purchase it as a burial 
place for strangers. This field received by 
common consent the name of Aceldama, which 
signifies the field of blood. Thus was the 
infamous transaction, with which the purchase 
of the field was connected, perpetuated. Who- 
ever inquired concerning the origin of its sin- 
gular name might learn the history of Judas's 
treachery, and his subsequent testimony to his 
Master's innocence. At the time St. Matthew 
wrote his Gospel, he appealed to this burial 
place, as bearing still its ominous name, the 

FIELD OF BLOOD. 



CHAPTER XIX. 
Jesus before Pilate. 

We have already seen that the mock trial of 
Jesus before the sanhedrim took place in the 
night. His death having been determined upon 
in that bloody council, measures were taken on 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APQSTLE. 133 

the morning of the following day to complete 
the murderous purpose. As the power of in- 
flicting capital punishments had been taken 
from the sanhedrim, they were obliged to obtain 
the consent of the Roman governor. 

The person holding that office at this time 
was Pontius Pilate. History informs us that 
he was a man of violent and obstinate temper ; 
and that as a judge, he would sell justice, or 
pronounce for money any sentence that might 
be desired. It speaks of his rapacious dispo- 
sition, his murders, the torments he inflicted on 
the innocent, and the persons he put to death, 
without even the form of a trial. St. Luke 
mentions his falling upon some Galileans while 
they were offering their sacrifices, and min- 
gling their blood with that of the animals they 
were offering. 

The Jewish rulers knew very well the cha- 
racter of this man, and doubtless had little fear 
in asking him to condemn an innocent person. 
They accordingly led Jesus bound to his pa- 
lace. Their haste to get him condemned and 
executed brought them out early in the morn- 
ing, and they stood waiting for Pilate. At 
length he made his appearance, and asked, 
" What accusation bring ye against this man ?" 
At this most reasonable and natural inquiry 
they seem to have been quite affronted. In- 
deed, it was touching a sore point, for they 
well knew the perfect innocence of their pri- 
soner. They angrily replied, " If he were not 
a malefactor, [a notorious offender,] we would 



134 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

not have delivered him up unto thee." Pilate had 
doubtless already heard much of Jesus, and he 
appears to have entertained a very favourable 
opinion of him. As the sanhedrim were allow- 
ed to inflict the milder class of punishments, 
he told them to take him, and if he had done 
any thing wrong, to punish him accordingly. 
But they were determined that nothing short 
of his blood should satisfy, and replied, that 
they were not allowed to put any one to death. 
Finding themselves under the necessity of pre- 
ferring some charge, and supposing that the al- 
leged blasphemy on which they had condemn- 
ed him might not be sufficient before Pilate, 
they fixed on another, namely, sedition against 
the Roman government. " We found this fel- 
low," said they, " perverting the nation, and 
forbidding to give tribute to Cesar, saying that 
he himself is Christ, a king." Pilate then 
asked Jesus if it was true that he pretended to 
be a king, or assumed a right to govern the 
Jews. Jesus replied, " Sayest thou this thing 
of thyself, or did others tell thee of me?" That 
is, Do you ask this question because you really 
think that I have interfered with the govern- 
ment, or simply because the chief priests have 
accused me of doing so? Pilate answered, 
" Thine own nation and the chief priests have 
delivered thee unto me. What hast thou done ?" 
Jesus then said, " My kingdom is not of this 
world: if my kingdom were of this world, then 
would my servants fight, that I should not 
be delivered to the Jews." His meaning is, 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 135 

" Though I am a king, yet my kingdom is not 
an earthly kingdom. This you may know by 
the fact, that I have made no attempt to seat 
myself upon a throne, or set up a government 
among my countrymen. If I had, my servants 
would have fought against those who seek my 
life. But as nothing of this kind has occurred, 
you may know that my kingdom is altogether 
of another kind." " Art thou a king, then Cf 
said Pilate : Jesus replied that he was a king, and 
for that end he had come into the world. But 
that his kingdom consisted in the establishment 
of true and holy principles in the hearts and 
consciences of men ; and that all who loved 
and obeyed the truth were his subjects. Or in 
other words, that he reigned over his subjects' 
consciences, and not over their civil liberties. 

During this conversation, the chief priests 
remained before the door of the palace ; they 
did not go in, because it was contrary to their 
custom to enter the house of any heathen dur- 
ing the passover week. Pilate accordingly 
went out, and told them he had examined Jesus 
and "found no fault in him at all? " But," said 
he, " ye have a custom that I should release 
some Jewish prisoner to you at the passover. 
Will ye therefore that I release to you the king 
of the Jews ?" " Not this man," cried they, 
" but Barabbas," who was a robber and a mur- 
derer. Thus, as Peter afterward told them, 
they " denied the Holy One, and the Just, and 
desired a murd rer to be granted unto them" 

The desire manifested by Pilate to release 



136 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

Jesus increased the fierceness and enmity of 
his accusers. They declared he had stirred 
up sedition in all the country, beginning at 
Galilee, and continuing it even to Jerusalem. 
When Galilee was named, Pilate asked if he 
belonged to that part of the country. They 
replied that he did, and he immediately deter- 
mined to send him to Herod, who governed 
Galilee, and was then in Jerusalem. 

This was Herod Antipas, and the same per- 
son who had slain John the Baptist. When 
Herod saw Jesus, he was highly pleased. He 
had heard much of him, and hoped Jesus would 
gratify his curiosity by performing some mira- 
cle in his presence. As our Lord stood bound 
before him, he eagerly began to question him 
on various points, but Jesus made no reply 
whatever. The chief priests, who could not 
bear to lose sight of their victim, had follow- 
ed, and began to accuse him most vehemently 
before Herod ; while he, being much disap- 
pointed, and not a little irritated that Jesus took 
no notice of him, ordered him to be arrayed in 
a robe of worn-out royalty, and sent back to 
Pilate. 

On his return, Pilate said to the accusers of 
Jesus, " Ye have brought this man unto me, as 
one that perverteth the people ; and behold, I 
having examined him before you, have found 
no fault in this man touching those things 
whereof ye accuse him : no, nor yet Herod : 
for I sent you to him ; and lo, nothing worthy 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 137 

of death is done unto him : I will therefore 
chastise him and release him." 

While Pilate was thus hesitating between 
his duty and his desire to please the Jewish 
rulers, he received a message from his wife, 
earnestly desiring him to have nothing to do 
with condemning Jesus; and assuring him 
that she had suffered many things in a dream 
concerning him during the previous night. 
This seems to have produced some farther 
impression upon his mind, and he asked again 
which he should release to them, Jesus or 
Barabbas ? The clamorous multitude cried, 
"Not this man, but Barabbas." "What then 
will ye that I should do unto him whom ye 
call king of the Jews ?" said he. With one 
voice they cried, " Crucify him, crucify him !" 
Again he inquired, "Why, what evil hath he 
done? I have found no cause of death in him. 
I will therefore chastise him, and let him go." 
But they cried out the more exceedingly, " Cru- 
cify him!" And their voices prevailed. 

When Pilate saw that he could not persuade 
them to be satisfied with his release, "he took 
water, and washed his hands before the multi- 
tude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of 
this just person ; see ye to it." Thus he vainly 
endeavoured to transfer the guilt of condemn- 
ing an innocent person to the Jews. He wash- 
ed his hands, but his conscience remained 
stained with the guilt which he declared would 
lie upon them ; the guilt of innocent blood. 



138 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

What he was eager to transfer to them, they 
were equally eager to take : " His blood be on 
us, and on our children," was the fearful ex- 
clamation of these infatuated men. 

Pilate then ordered Jesus to be scourged, 
and delivered up for crucifixion. Scourging 
was a usual, but most unreasonable and bar- 
barous punishment, which the Romans inflicted 
on those condemned to be crucified. The suf- 
ferer was tied to a pillar, his back laid bare, 
and his body bent forward, and the blows ap- 
plied so severely, that the victim sometimes ex- 
pired under them. Among the Romans, the 
number of blows was unlimited. Hence, our 
blessed Lord probably suffered in this form all 
that his murderers thought he could bear with- 
out dying too soon to satisfy their cruelty. The 
body of the innocent Redeemer was torn and 
lacerated by this cruel and shameful outrage ; 
but, with those stripes we are healed.* 

After the soldiers had scourged Jesus, they 
began to insult and deride him as one who had 
aspired to the government of the Jewish nation 
in opposition to Cesar. As among the Ro- 
mans, emperors and conquerors were publicly 
crowned with a wreath of laurel ; so, in pro- 
fane mockery, they put upon Jesus a crown of 
thorns. " The naba or nabda of the Arabians," 
says a modern traveller, " is in all probability 
the tree which afforded the crown of thorns 
put upon the head of Christ : it grows common 
in the East. This plant was very fit for the 
* Isa. liii, 5. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 139 

purpose ; for it has many small sharp spines, 
and a crown might easily be made of its soft, 
round, and pliant branches ; and what in my 
opinion seems to be the greatest proof is, that 
the leaves resemble those of the laurel, being 
of a very deep green. Perhaps the soldiers 
would have a plant resembling that with which 
their emperors were used to be crowned, that 
there might be satire and calumny even in the 
punishment." They also arrayed him in a pur- 
ple robe,* (probably an old cast off one,) such 
as monarchs and great men were accustomed 
to wear ; and putting into his hands, which were 
still bound, a reed, as the mock representative 
of a sceptre, they bowed the knee before him 
in derision, and cried, " Hail, king of the 
Jews." 

After they had thus insulted and derided 
him, and added blows and spitting to the other 
abuse, Pilate determined to lead him forth, and 
expostulate once more with the Jewish leaders. 
Probably he thought if he were shown to them 
in his present condition, covered with blood 
and wounds, and crowned with thorns, they 
might relent, and let him go. To induce them 
to do so, as it would seem, he went out of the 

* " Mark says a purple, Matthew a scarlet robe. 
These expressions are to be taken in all the latitude 
of familiar conversation. This robe may have been in 
strictness neither purple nor scarlet, and yet might have 
so much of both these colours in it as would naturally 
lead one person to call it by one name, and another by 
the other." 



140 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

judgment hall himself, and said, " Behold, I 
bring him forth to you, that ye may know that 
I find no fault in him." Jesus was then brought 
out, and Pilate said, " Behold the man !" as if 
he would say, " See, has he not suffered enough 
already ?" They no sooner saw him than they 
began again to clamour for his blood. " Cru- 
cify him! Crucify him!" was their reply. Vex- 
ed at their obstinacy, Pilate answered, " Take 
ye him, and crucify him, for I find no fault in 
him." Unwilling, perhaps, to bear the whole 
ignominy of shedding the blood of one who 
had been publicly and repeatedly declared in- 
nocent by his judge, and determined to draw 
the Romans in for a share of the reproach, 
they refused, and again tried to persuade Pilate 
that he was not innocent. They declared that 
even if he was not an enemy to Cesar, he 
ought to die for blasphemy, because he had 
declared himself the Son of God. When 
Pilate heard that, he was the more afraid. 
Being a heathen, his religion taught him to 
believe in gods many and lords many ; and 
having heard much of the miracles of Jesus, 
he began to think he probably was a divine 
person. He accordingly returned to the judg- 
ment hall, and began again to examine Jesus. 
" Whence art thou ?" said he. But Jesus, know- 
ing that Pilate was already satisfied of his in- 
nocence, gave him no answer. " Speakest thou 
not unto me ?" said he : " Knowest thou not that 
I have power to crucify thee, and power to re- 
lease thee ?" Jesus replied, " Thou couldst 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 141 

have no power at all against me, except it were 
given thee from above ; [by God's permissive 
providence;] therefore, he [the Jewish high 
priest and his council] that delivered me to 
thee, hath the greater sin," [is more guilty than 
thou art.] Again Pilate sought to release him. 
But the Jews, enraged at the fear of losing 
their victim, began to insinuate, that unless Pi- 
late condemned Jesus, they would accuse him 
before the emperor of tolerating sedition against 
the government. " If," said they, " thou let 
this man go, thou art not Cesar's friend. Who- 
soever maketh himself a king, speaketh against 
Cesar." This alarmed Pilate. He trembled 
at the thought of being accused before Tiberias, 
[Cesar,] who was prone in matters of govern- 
ment to suspect the worst, and punished the 
smallest crimes with death. Besides, Pilate 
well knew, that if nothing could be proved 
against him in relation to Jesus, that enough 
could be in other matters. He therefore brought 
Jesus out again, and said to the Jews, " Behold 
your king !" His meaning probably was, " Is 
there any fear for the emperor's authority in 
Judea from such a person ? Does he manifest 
any of the ambitious views of which you ac- 
cuse him?" They again vociferated, " x\way 
with him ; away with him ; crucify him !" 
" Shall I crucify your king T said Pilate. The 
chief priests answered, " We have no king but 
Cesar." 

Having now given up all thoughts of saving 
Jesus, Pilate delivered him up to the will of 



142 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

his enemies, and gave orders to the soldiers to 
prepare for his execution. 

Through all this scene of insult, mockery, 
and cruel treatment, Jesus remained an uncom- 
plaining sufferer. He was reviled, but render- 
ed not railing for railing. He was mocked and 
insulted, but he showed no anger. The high- 
est crimes were laid to his charge, but he made 
no plea to establish his innocence. He was 
beaten, scourged, and derided, but he uttered 
no complaint. He was sentenced to be cruci- 
fied by a judge who had repeatedly pronounced 
him innocent, but he did not utter one word of 
expostulation. Isaiah had long before pictured 
him precisely as we see him before the sanhe- 
drim, and before the bar of Pilate : — 

" He was oppressed and he was afflicted, 
Yet he opened not his mouth ; 
He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, 
And as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, 
So he opened not his mouth." 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 143 



CHAPTER XX. 
The Crucifixion. 

I ask'd the heavens — " What foe to God hath done 
This unexampled deed?" The heavens exclaim, 

•* 'Twas man ! and we in horror snatch'd the sun 
From such a spectacle of guilt and shame." 

I ask'd the sea — the sea in fury boil'd, 

And answer'd with its voice of storms, " 'Twas man ! 
My waves in panic at his crimes recoil'd, 

Disclosed the abyss, and from the centre ran." 

I ask'd the earth — the earth replied, aghast, 

" 'Twas man ! and such strange pangs my bosom rent, 

That still I groan and shudder at the past." 

— To man, gay, smiling, thoughtless man I went, 

And ask'd him next — He turn'd a scornful eye, 

Shook his proud head, and deign'd me no reply. 

Montgomery. 

Jesus was now stripped of the purple robe, 
his own garments were put upon him, and he 
was then led away for crucifixion. The place 
of execution, called Calvary, was without the 
walls, on the north of Mount Zion, and west 
side of the ancient Jerusalem. In Hebrew it 
was called Golgotha, a scull, or place of sculls, 
either because its shape resembled a human 
head, or else because it was the usual place of 
executing criminals. Calvary was about one 
mile from the temple, and as the governor's pa- 
lace was probably near the temple, the distance 
from that place may be supposed to have been 



144 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



about the same. Toward this place the com- 
pany moved forward, while Jesus was compel- 
led to bear the transverse beam of the cross on 
which he was to suffer. But the fatigue of the 
preceding night, which had been spent without 
sleep, the sufferings through which he had passed 
in the garden, his having been hurried from place 
to place, and obliged to stand during the time 
of his trial, the want of food, and loss of blood 
which he had sustained, all these combined, 
caused him to faint under the load. Afraid, per- 
haps, that he would die with fatigue, and thus 
elude a crucifixion, the soldiers laid hold of one 
Simon, a native of Cyrene, in Egypt, whom 
they found on the way, and compelled him to 
bear the cross. 

As they went toward Calvary, they were fol- 
lowed by a large crowd of people. Among 
these were many women, who wept and show- 
ed the deepest signs of sorrow at the mournful 
spectacle. Beholding these, and looking for- 
ward to the calamities coming upon them and 
the nation, Jesus turned and exclaimed, "Daugh- 
ters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep 
for yourselves and for your children." 

Having arrived at the summit of Calvary, 
the barbarous work of crucifixion commenced. 
A short account of this punishment may not be 
amiss here. The cross, which was also called 
the infamous tree, was a post about ten feet 
high. Near the top was a cross beam six or 
seven feet in length. Near the middle of the 
perpendicular beam a small piece of wood pro- 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 145 

jected, on which the prisoner sat. This an- 
swered as a support to the body, which other- 
wise was in danger of tearing away the hands 
from the nails driven through them. The cross 
being either firmly fixed in the ground, or rock, 
or otherwise first laid down upon it, the hands 
of the victim were tied to the ends of the cross 
beam, and then fastened with nails driven 
through the palms. A nail or spike was also 
driven through each foot. 

The cross having been first laid upon the 
ground until the victim was nailed, it was after- 
ward raised up by several men, and thrust with 
a violent shock into the hole prepared for it. 
Crucifixion was not only regarded as one of 
the most disgraceful of punishments, but it was 
also the most cruel. Cicero says it ought nei- 
ther to be seen, heard of, nor thought of by 
men. The sufferings endured by this punish- 
ment are thus described by a German physi- 
cian : " The position of the body is unnatural, 
the arms being extended back, and almost im- 
moveable. In case of the least motion, an ex- 
tremely painful sensation is felt in the hands 
and feet, which are pierced with nails, and in 
the back, which is torn with stripes. The 
nails being driven through the parts of the hands 
and feet which abound in nerves and tendons, 
create the most exquisite anguish. The expo- 
sure of so many wounds to the open air brings 
on an inflammation, which every moment in- 
creases the agonies of the sufferer, The cir- 
culation of the blood is disturbed. The blood 
10 



146 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

vessels of the head become pressed and swollen, 
which of course causes pain and redness of the 
face. An unusual quantity of blood is thrown 
into the stomach, which is peculiarly exposed 
to mortification. The blood of the lungs is 
unable to find a free circulation. In conse- 
quence of this general obstruction, there is an 
internal excitement, and exertion, and anxiety, 
which are more intolerable than death itself. 
The degree of anguish is gradual in its in- 
crease, and the person is able to live under it 
till the third day, and sometimes longer. Among 
the Jews, where those who suffered crucifixion 
were always buried the same day, life was end- 
ed before night, by breaking the bones with 
mallets, or in some other way." Such was the 
character of the punishment which the soldiers 
now commenced inflicting upon the innocent 
and holy Redeemer. 

Dr. Heylin thus forcibly describes the be- 
ginning of the scene : " The appointed soldiers 
prepare the hole in which the cross is to be 
erected. The nails and the hammer are ready. 
The cross is placed upon the ground, and Je- 
sus lies down upon the bed of sorrows. They 
nail him to it. They erect it. His nerves crack. 
His blood distils ; he hangs upon his wounds, a 
spectacle to heaven and earth i" 

While the work of torture is going forward, 
he seems to feel the injury they are doing to 
their own souls more than the sufferings they 
are inflicting upon him, and compassionate- 
ly exclaims, " Father, forgive them, for they 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 147 



know not what they do !" Some of the friends 
of Jesus had prepared a stupifying potion for 
him, which they wished him to drink, to render 
him insensible of his pain. This he refused, 
resolved not to have his mind clouded during 
the scene of his sufferings. 

To make the ignominy with which he was 
treated complete, he was crucified between two 
thieves or robbers, and was derided by both 
the Jews and the soldiers. Even the haughty 
priests were found mingling with the rabble, 
and joining with them in profanely mocking the 
agonies of the innocent sufferer. 

Since Jesus was at the house of Caiaphas, 
it is not probable that John had left him for a 
single moment. He could do nothing to assist 
his suffering Master, nor did Jesus wish him 
to, even had he been able ; but his love was too 
strong to allow him to leave the agonizing 
scene. With a soul melting with compassion- 
ate tenderness, he stood and gazed upon his 
tortured Master. He saw the nails driven into 
his hands and feet, and beheld his limbs quiver- 
ing in convulsive agony. He saw the soldier's 
lip curled with scorn, and heard the priest's bit- 
ter taunt of derision ; and then, turning again 
to Jesus, beheld a countenance meek, resign- 
ed, and expressive of deep compassion for even 
these his tormentors. 

But John was not the only friend of the suf- 
ferer who had followed him to the cross. As 
Jesus looked down upon the multitude drawn 
together to gaze upon his agonies, he saw a 



148 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



group of weeping women. Neither their de- 
fenceless situation, nor that delicacy which on 
ordinary occasions led them to shrink from pub- 
lic observation, nor the fury of the mob which 
had seized their Master, could keep them from 
the cross. Among these Jesus beheld his own 
tender mother. What a noble instance of af- 
fection and fortitude ! She was probably be- 
tween fifty and sixty years of age. Joseph her 
husband was probably dead, and now, according 
to Simeon's prophecy, (Luke ii, 35,) agony 
like a sword pierced her very heart. By her 
side stood her sister, the wife of Cleopas, and 
Mary of Magdala, usually called Mary Magda- 
lene. At some distance farther off stood Sa- 
lome, the mother of John and James, and some 
others. 

Jesus was now in the depth of his own suf- 
ferings, yet when he saw the distress of these 
tender-hearted friends, particularly that of his 
mother, he was greatly affected. It was at this 
moment that he gave to her and to John the 
most affecting evidence of his regard for them 
both. Though at the very point of death, he 
remembered that there was no one to support 
and comfort Mary in her declining age, and 
looking affectionately upon her, and directing 
her attention to John, he said, " Behold thy so?i." 
Then looking upon John, he said, "Behold thy 
mother" This was enough. From that hour 
Mary regarded John as though he was her own 
son, and John reverenced and loved her as 
he did his own mother. He took her to his 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 149 

house, and supported her to the time of her 
death. Never was there a more tender or 
affecting scene than this. When the suffer- 
ings of Jesus were at the highest pitch, his 
friends had such a share of his concern, that 
their happiness engrossed some of his tender- 
est thoughts. 

The time which Jesus hung upon the cross 
was about six hours. At twelve the sun with- 
drew his light, and darkness brooded over the 
dreadful scene. This darkness was altogether 
miraculous. It could not be an eclipse of the 
sun, for two reasons. It was the passover week, 
which always took place at the time of full 
moon ; and at such a time it is impossible for a 
solar eclipse to happen. Again, a total eclipse 
of the sun can continue but for a moment, while 
this darkness lasted three hours. It was doubt- 
less intended to mark the death of Jesus as an 
extraordinary death, and was also strikingly 
emblematical. The great Teacher of truth, 
who had frequently compared himself to the 
sun, and had " come a light into the world," 
was now suffering a short obscuration. Under 
the deep cloud of his humiliation, his light and 
glory seemed for a time to be eclipsed. He 
whom winds and seas obeyed was dying as a 
criminal. At this awful moment the sun seem- 
ed to sympathize with his sufferings ; it was 
darkened, and the face of heaven was veiled. 

The agonies of Jesus during this period caa- 
not be conceived. He was suffering in the 
place of a guilty world, that all who would re- 



150 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

pent and believe might be forgiven. These 
agonies had commenced in the garden, and 
they were now finishing upon the cross. The 
cause of them is not to be looked for in any 
external circumstances. It is true, in pur- 
suing the thread of our history, our remarks 
have been to a great extent taken up with these. 
But it was not a natural horror of death, it was 
not the sense he had of the ingratitude of the 
Jews, or the ignominy with which he was treat- 
ed, or the sympathy which he felt for his coun- 
try in view of its approaching calamities, or 
even the penetrating sense which he had of the 
dreadful evil of sin ; it was not any of these, or ail 
of them combined, that formed the burden of his 
anguish. This he experienced, not in his body, 
but in his soul. " My soul," said he, " is ex- 
ceedingly sorrowful." These sorrows he had 
cheerfully consented to bear, and they were in- 
flicted by his heavenly Father. As the prophet 
Isaiah had predicted, "It pleased the Lord to 
bruise him. He put him to grief" and " his soul 
was made an offering for sin" It was while 
thus suffering the deep agonies of a pierced 
spirit, and pressed with the weight of human 
transgression, that the mournful exclamation 
was wrung from him, " My God, my God, why 
hast thou forsaken me /" The human nature of 
Jesus seems to have received such support as 
rendered it full mighty to suffer, but at the same 
time there was the most dreadful sense of in- 
ternal desertion, and an entire destitution of 
sensible support and consolation. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 151 

The great work for which he came into the 
world was now nearly accomplished. The 
provision of mercy for a sinful world was made, 
and Jesus exclaimed, " It is finished." He 
then said, " Father, into thy hands I commit 
my spirit," and bowing his head, he expired. 

At this moment the earth quaked, the rocks 
rent, the graves of many were opened, and 
nature seemed as if ready to expire with her 
expiring Lord, These extraordinary events 
filled the people with wonder and alarm. The 
Roman officer who commanded at the crucifix- 
ion was struck by the uncommon scene. He 
had heard the accusations of the chief priests 
against Jesus, he had witnessed his meek and 
forgiving temper, he saw the darkening of the 
sun, the earthquake, and the rending of the 
rocks, and he was now convinced that what the 
Jews called blasphemy, was nothing less than 
a solemn truth. " Truly" said he, " this was 
the Son of God 

Many of the persons, also, who had been in- 
duced by the chief priests to clamour for his 
death, smote upon their breasts and returned 
to the city. 

John and the faithful little band of women 
appear still to have lingered by the cross. They 
could not tear themselves away from the body 
of him in whom all their hopes and their affec- 
tions had centred. In the mean time, a rich 
and honourable man named Joseph, belonging 
to a place called Arimathea, had determined on 
asking for the body; He was a member of the 



152 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

sanhedrim, but had not consented to the death 
of Jesus, being himself a believer in his claim 
to the Messiahship. Though his fears had 
kept him from openly uniting himself with the 
disciples, those fears now gave way, and he 
went boldly to Pilate and asked the body for 
burial. Pilate called the centurion, and in- 
quired if Jesus was certainly dead. The cen- 
turion knew he was, for one of the soldiers had 
pierced his heart with a spear, and Pilate, being 
assured of the fact, ordered the body to be de- 
livered to Joseph, and Joseph, assisted by Nico- 
demus and others, took the body, and anointing 
it with spices, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in 
a new tomb which Joseph had prepared for 
himself in a garden near to Calvary. As the 
day was far spent, and the next day was the 
sabbath, some of the friends of Jesus intended 
to come on the morning following the sabbath, 
and finish the embalming. 

Several of the women followed the body to 
the tomb, and marked the place and position 
in which it was laid. Whether John went to 
the grave we do not know. As we hear no- 
thing of Mary the mother of Jesus going there, 
it is quite possible she sunk under the load of 
her sorrows, and that John was obliged to assist 
her in leaving the place of her son's sufferings, 
and so could not follow his Master's remains to 
the tomb. 

Several remarkable prophecies were fulfilled 
by the events recorded in this chapter. I will 
only call the attention of the reader to two, and 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 153 

refer him for others to the fifty-third chapter of 
the prophecy of Isaiah. The two of which I 
speak refer to two minute circumstances con- 
nected with the death and burial of Jesus. 
They were uttered hundreds of years before 
he came into the world, and could have been 
known only to God, or him to whom God re- 
vealed them. The first predicted his being 
classed and crucified with the two robbers, 
and was contained in these striking words: 
" And he was numbered with the transgressors" 
The second predicted that he should be bu- 
ried as well as the malefactors, but with this 
remarkable difference, that his tomb should be 
with the rich man. Speaking of the future as 
though it had passed in vision before his eyes, 
the prophet exclaimed, — 

44 And he made his grave with the wicked, 
And with the rich in his death." 

Or, as Bishop Lowth translates the passage, 

44 And his grave was appointed with the wicked, 
But with the rich was his tomb." 

CHAPTER XXL 

The resurrection of Jesus. 

The burial of Jesus appears to have been 
completed just before the sabbath set in, which 
was among the Jews at six o'clock in the eve- 
ning. It had already commenced when the 



154 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



chief priests went to Pilate with a request to 
have a guard placed over the tomb of their vic- 
tim. 11 Sir," said they, " we remember that 
that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, Af- 
ter three days I will rise again. Command 
therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until 
the third day, lest his disciples come by night, 
and steal him away, and say unto the people, 
He is risen from the dead, so the last error shall 
be worse than the first." From this it appears 
that those base hypocrites understood the mean- 
ing of our Lord very well, when he said, " De- 
stroy this temple, and in three days I will raise 
it up." They knew well enough, that in these 
words he spoke of his own death and resurrec- 
tion, and not of the destruction of the temple 
at Jerusalem. And yet upon his trial they 
endeavoured to force that false construction 
upon them, and were eager to take his life upon 
such a pretence. 

Pilate gave them a watch or guard, which 
consisted of sixty soldiers. They then went 
to the tomb, (which was hewn out of a rock, 
and to the door of which a great stone had been 
rolled,) and stationed their guard. To make 
the body doubly sure, they sealed the stone 
with wax, or some such substance, so that if 
any one opened it, the seal would be broken. 

The enemies of our Lord had now completed 
their plot against him. They had obtained his 
blood, silenced his reproving voice, seen him 
laid in the sepulchre, secured the stone at the 
entrance by a seal, placed over the body a nu- 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 155 

merous guard of faithful soldiers,* and one thing 
only seemed wanting to complete their triumph, 
and that they no doubt eagerly anticipated — 
to throw open the tomb on the third day, bring 
forth the body, and prove to all the people that 
he was "a deceiver." 

In the mean time John and his fellow disci- 
ples had their minds filled with various and 
conflicting emotions. They probably came to- 
gether soon after the crucifixion, and received 
from John and the women an accurate descrip- 
tion of the whole scene, both at the palace of 
Pilate and at the cross. They thought of the 
wonderful events they had witnessed during 
the three past years. Their minds ran back to 
Capernaum, to the miracles of healing the 
blind, the deaf, the dumb, and to the grave of 
Lazarus. They thought of the heart-search- 
ing discourses in the temple which had so en- 
raged the priests and rulers, of the treachery 
and fearful end of Judas, of the scenes in the 
garden, and the wonders which attended the 
crucifixion. All these events were so new, so 
strange, so unaccountable, as to fill their minds 
with various and confused reasonings. As yet 
they understood these things but in part. Thus 
the sabbath passed, and left them still in amaze- 
ment and sorrow. 

At length the morning of the third day ap- 
proached. The soldiers, with their arms, still 
stood before the sepulchre, and up to this time 

* By the Roman martial law, it was death for a sol- 
dier to sleep at his post, or while on duty. 



156 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

all had remained quiet. But suddenly an angel 
of God descended from heaven. His counte- 
nance was like lightning, and his raiment white 
as snow. He rolled back the stone from the 
sepulchre, and sat down upon it. At the same 
moment the earth all around in the vicinity of 
the tomb began to quake and heave like ocean 
in a storm. The soldiers were panic stricken. 
The angel's countenance darted terror to their 
inmost souls. " They shook," says St. Mat- 
thew, " and became as dead men." Jesus in 
the mean time arose, and the guard fled from 
the place. After they had sufficiently recover- 
ed, they went into the city in scattered compa- 
nies, as it would seem, and reported to the chief 
priests what had been done. This testimony 
of the soldiers threw the Jewish leaders into 
great confusion. But neither the soldiers nor 
the priests were made better by what the one 
saw, and the other heard. The soldiers proba- 
bly concluded, that as Jesus had claimed to be 
the Son of God, he was the son of some one of 
the many gods which their creed taught them 
to believe in, and that his father had come down 
and raised him from the dead. 

The chief priests, on the other hand, immedi- 
ately assembled the sanhedrim. They were 
determined not to be convinced by any kind or 
amount of evidence ; or even if they were con- 
vinced, were resolved not to acknowledge Jesus 
as the Messiah. Their object therefore in as- 
sembling the council was to determine how 
they should get along with this new difficulty. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 157 



There seemed to be but one of two methods 
for them to adopt : First, to go and enter com- 
plaint to the governor against the soldiers, for 
forsaking their post ; or, secondly, to induce 
them to conceal the facts which they had wit- 
nessed. To the first there was one strong ob- 
jection ; Pilate had shown himself so favourable 
to Jesus, and so much afraid to condemn him, 
that they feared he might believe the soldiers, 
and pardon them, and then their report would 
be rapidly spread, and be likely to be generally 
received. The other method was not without 
its difficulties, but it seemed the best they could 
adopt. They had the advantage of the soldiers, 
for if they refused to come into the measures 
of the council, they could threaten them with 
a prosecution before the governor ; and the sol- 
diers well knew, that if Pilate should decide 
against them, it would be death to every man 
of the whole number. The council accord- 
ingly called the soldiers, and told them to say 
that u the disciples came by night and stole the 
body of Jesus while they were asleep" They 
agreed, if they would do this, not only to give 
them a large sum of money,, but, if the governor 
should call them to account for sleeping while 
on duty, they promised that the influence of the 
whole sanhedrim should be used to screen them 
from punishment. 

The proposal of the council was agreed to, 
the soldiers took the money, and reported the 
falsehood which the priests had put into their 
mouths. The absurdity of this silly tale ap« 



158 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

pears upon the very face of it. Could the sol- 
diers tell what was doing, and by whom, when 
they were asleep ? But the falsehood implies 
other absurdities. 1st, It was not probable that 
a Roman guard should be off their watch at ail, 
much less that they should be asleep, especi- 
ally when they knew that if discovered they 
would be liable to be punished with death. 
2d, If even some of them had slept, it was not 
credible that all should, especially at one time, 
and in the open air. 3d, If so improbable a 
thing had happened, it would be still more in- 
credible that all should at one time fall into so 
sound a sleep, that not one of them should be 
awakened by the rolling away of the stone, 
and carrying away the body, neither of which 
things could have been done silently, or by 
men walking on tiptoe to prevent discovery. 
4th. It would be equally absurd to suppose that 
a few defenceless, unarmed men, who had for- 
saken their Master and fled upon his first arrest, 
should come in the face of an armed guard to 
carry off the body. Moreover, what could they 
do with the dead body, if they should even ob- 
tain it ? and still farther, they were so far from 
thinking of making converts by reporting the 
story of their Master's resurrection, that the 
resurrection was still a subject of which they 
knew not what to make. 

But let us return to the little company of Je- 
sus' friends. Among these the pious females 
bear off the palm. As has often been said, they 
were last at the cross, and earliest at the grave. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 159 

Scarcely had the shadows of night departed, 
when the two Marys, Mary of Magdala, and 
Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Salome, John's 
mother, were on their way to the tomb. They 
had prepared spices, and had come to finish 
the embalming of the body. So strongly intent 
were these female disciples on paying their 
final respects to their Lord, and performing the 
last sad offices of sacred duty and friendship. 
They were ignorant of the sealing of the stone 
or the stationing of the guard, as these things 
were done after they had left on the evening 
before the sabbath. 

When they arrived the guard had fled, and 
the stone, which they had feared they should 
be unable to remove, was already rolled away.* 
The angel who had frightened away the guard 
and removed the stone now appeared. His 
object was not to alarm, but rather to comfort 
and encourage them. He had laid aside his 
terrors, and in sweet and gentle accents told 
them he knew whom they sought, but that he 
was not there : " He is risen, as he said. Come, 
see the place where the Lord lay" They entered 
the tomb, and beheld the linen clothes in which 
he had been wrapped, and saw the napkin fold- 

* According to St. Luke's account they seem at first 
to have entered the sepulchre, and searched for the 
body, which they did not find. This grieved and per- 
plexed them much. They then probably went out, and 
Mary of Magdala, without waiting longer, appears to 
have run with the news to Peter and John, But the 
rest tarried, and went in a second time. 



160 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

ed and laid by itself. The angel then directed 
them to go and tell these things to the other 
disciples. 

In the mean time, Peter and John, having 
learned from Mary of Magdala that the body 
of Jesus was gone, started immediately for the 
sepulchre. John, being the younger man, out- 
ran Peter, and arriving at the door, looked in 
and saw the linen clothes, but no body. With 
modest diffidence he stood by the door, but Pe- 
ter coming up, with his usual impetuosity, went 
in at once to examine every part. John after- 
ward went in, and both satisfied themselves 
that the body was not there. By this time 
Mary of Magdala had returned, and when Pe- 
ter and John went away they left her by the 
sepulchre weeping. Just as they had departed 
she stooped down, and looking in, saw the 
angel which had appeared to the other women 
after her departure, and also another angel. It 
appears that they had concealed themselves 
from John and Peter while they were in the 
tomb. The angels inquired of Mary why she 
wept. She replied, " Because they have taken 
away my Lord, and I know not where they 
have laid him." At this moment she turned 
about and saw Jesus standing near her. Her 
eyes being filled with tears, and her heart op- 
pressed with sorrow, she probably did not look 
in his face, but taking him to be the person who 
kept Joseph's garden, she said, " Sir, if thou 
hast borne him hence, tell me where thou hast 
laid him, and I will take him away." There 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 161 

is something indescribably beautiful in this ad- 
dress of Mary to the supposed gardener. She 
does not even name Jesus, but he being the 
one person of whom her thoughts and her heart 
were so full, she takes it for granted that every 
one must know whom she meant. Supposing 
that this gardener might disdain to have the 
body of one who had been executed as a cri- 
minal honoured by lying in his master's new 
tomb, and that he had probably removed it to 
some obscure place, she intimates to him that 
she will see that it is honourably taken care of 
elsewhere. Little did you think, Mary, that 
you were addressing these affectionate words to 
Jesus himself. It was at this instant that Jesus 
addressed her in his well known voice, " Mary !" 
Looking eagerly up in his face, she discovered 
who it was, and in a transport of surprise and 
delight, cried out, " Master !" and fell at his 
feet and embraced him. Jesus told her not to 
detain him then, or to remain longer with him, 
as he had not yet ascended to his Father, and 
she should have the opportunity of seeing him 
again, but to go and tell the disciples what she 
had seen. As Mary went to tell the disciples, 
and while the other Mary and Salome w T ere 
still on the way to inform them of the vision of 
angels which they had seen, Jesus appeared to 
them also, and gave them similar directions to 
those he had given to Mary of Magdala. 

By this time the reports of the women, and 
Peter, and John, began to spread among the 
disciples. Those who had already visited the 
11 



162 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



sepulchre were filled with wonder and delight. 
Little companies of them seem to have been 
running to and from the city at one time, seek- 
ing for their friends to bear to them the joyful 
news, and again returning to the sepulchre. 
As there were probably different gates which 
opened into the garden, and they might go 
through different streets in the city, they seem 
several times to have missed the persons they 
were in pursuit of by passing them on the road. 

One thing is particularly worthy of remark. 
None of the apostles were honoured with the 
first appearances of the angels, or the first 
news of the resurrection, or the first visits of 
Jesus himself. The angels at the sepulchre 
kept themselves invisible while Peter and John 
were there. Perhaps this mark of disrespect 
was put upon them for their cowardice in for- 
saking their Master when he gave himself into 
the hands of his enemies, and for the weakness 
of their faith. How different was the conduct 
of the women! Laying aside the weakness 
and timidity natural to their sex, they showed 
uncommon courage and fortitude, as well as 
the most tender affection, during the whole of 
this melancholy transaction. Hence they were 
honoured with the first tidings of the resurrec- 
tion, with the first visions of the angels, and 
their hearts were gladdened with the first sight 
of their beloved Lord. 

Among the apostles, the first who saw Jesus 
after his resurrection was Peter. Soon after 
he appeared to Cleopas (the father of two of 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



163 



the apostles) and another disciple, who were on 
their way to Emmaus, a place at no great dis- 
tance from Jerusalem. These returned, and 
finding ten of the apostles together, told them 
that they had seen the Lord. Though Peter 
had seen him, and the women, and these two 
disciples, yet some still doubted. Their faith 
had received such a severe shock by their Mas- 
ter's death, and their spirits were so dejected, 
that they could scarcely believe it was possi- 
ble. 

While they were conversing on the subject, 
Jesus suddenly appeared in their midst, and 
said, " Peace be unto you." As they had shut 
and secured their doors for fear of the enemies 
of their Master, and Jesus had entered in per- 
fect silence, they were alarmed, and supposed 
they saw a spirit. Jesus mildly and calmly 
rebuked their fears, saying, " Why are ye trou- 
bled : and why do thoughts arise in your hearts ? 
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I my- 
self : handle me and see, for a spirit hath not 
flesh and bones as ye see me have." He then 
asked if they had any food. They gave him a 
piece of a broiled fish, and of a honey-comb, 
which, for their farther satisfaction, he took and 
ate before them. 

After this interview, Jesus did not again ap- 
pear to the apostles until the eighth day follow- 
ing. Thomas had not been present when he 
met with the ten, and when they informed him 
of it, he declared he would not believe unless 
he had the evidence of his own senses. To 



164 



LITE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



rebuke him for his unbelief, Jesus allowed him 
to pass a whole week in painful suspense. 
Daily he looked for the appearance of his Lord, 
and day after day passed, leaving his hopes 
still disappointed. At length, while the disci- 
ples were again assembled, and Thomas with 
them, Jesus entered their little company, and 
again saluted them with " Peace be unto you." 
Then addressing Thomas, he repeated the very 
words in which that disciple had expressed his 
doubts, thus convincing him that he had heard 
every word of the conversation which had 
passed in his absence. Not only was every 
doubt removed from the mind of Thomas, but 
he was strongly impressed with the divinity 
of Jesus, and in wonder and adoration exclaim- 
ed, " My Lord, and my God !" To impress 
on the mind of his doubting disciple the im- 
portance of that candour and humility which 
yields to credible testimony, Jesus replied, 
"Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou 
hast believed : blessed are they that have not 
seen, and yet have believed." 



CHAPTER XXII. 
The meeting in Galilee. 

Before his crucifixion Jesus had promised 
the disciples that he would meet them after his 
resurrection upon a certain mountain in Galilee. 
The angels reminded the women of this pro- 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 165 

mise, and directed them to remind the apostles 
of it. Accordingly John and his companions 
returned to Galilee to await his appearance. 
They were probably accompanied by many 
other persons. John doubtless took Mary the 
mother of Jesus, and Salome, his own mother, 
with him. Mary of Magdala, and Mary the 
wife of Cleopas, would not of course be likely 
to miss such an opportunity of seeing their 
Lord. We should suppose that such men as 
Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus, would 
also repair to the appointed place, and that La- 
zarus and his sisters would join the company, 
and go once more to see Him whom they so 
tenderly loved. 

When the company arrived in Galilee, they 
would of course meet with numbers who had 
been personally acquainted with Jesus, having 
sat under his ministry, and witnessed his mira- 
cles. He had many disciples in that part of 
the country who would be eager to inquire of 
those who had seen him since his resurrection, 
and w r ho would not fail to repair at the appoint- 
ed time to the appointed mountain. 

The company appear to have arrived in Ga- 
lilee some days before the time which Jesus had 
named for meeting with them. John and his 
companions therefore visited the scenes of for- 
mer days on the shores of the lake of Genne- 
saret. While they were here, Peter one day 
proposed to John and several of the others to go 
out on a fishing excursion. They readily as- 
sented, and having procured a boat, launched 



166 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

out into the lake. Having let down their net 
on the old fishing ground where they had so 
often been successful in former days, they pro- 
bably expected to obtain a draught soon. But 
in this they were disappointed. Hour after 
hour passed, and they caught nothing. As 
they had no permanent provision for a support, 
and had most likely expended what little mo- 
ney they carried to Jerusalem, it is probable 
that they were in need of something to supply 
their present wants, and those of the friends 
who had come with them. They accordingly 
continued to fish during the whole night, but 
still they caught nothing. Early in the morn- 
ing they saw a man standing on the shore, who 
familiarly and affectionately inquired, " Chil- 
dren, have ye any meat?" They replied, that 
they had not. " Cast the net," said he, " on 
the right side of the ship, and ye shall find." 
They did so, and enclosed so large a number 
of fish, that they could scarcely manage the 
net. 

John immediately thought of a former event 
which had happened near the same place. He 
and his brethren had toiled all night without 
taking so much as one fish. In the morning 
Jesus had come along the shore and given them 
similar directions, which were followed by a 
similar result. When he thought of this, he 
discerned the same overruling hand in the event, 
and turning to Peter he said, " It is the Lord." 

The thought no sooner flashed upon the mind 
of Peter, than, girding on his upper garment, he 



JJFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 167 

leaped overboad, and swam for the shore. The 
rest followed as fast as possible in their boat, 
dragging their net. When they had drawn 
their prize to land, they found it to consist of 
one hundred and fifty-three large fishes, and yet 
the net was not broken. 

When John and his fellow-apostles reached 
the shore, they saw a fire of coals, with a cake 
baked, and fish already broiled. This was a 
very timely supply. The apostles had been 
toiling all night, and were hungry and faint. 
Their kind Master knew this, and did not wait 
for the fish which they had just taken to be 
dressed and cooked. He just put forth a little 
of his divine power, and the meal was ready. 
Thus he showed his care for their necessities. 
But he had still a higher object. He wished 
to remind them, that by passing under the em- 
pire of death, he had lost none of his miracle 
working power ; that he was the same divine 
personage whom winds and seas had obeyed. 

The fish taken in the net being secured, Jesus 
said to the disciples, " Come and eat." They 
did so, and were delightfully reminded of for- 
mer days. It was a privilege indeed, after the 
deep sorrows through which they had passed, 
once more to sit down to meat with their be- 
loved Master. John again found himself occu- 
pying his old place, and leaning again on Jesus' 
bosom. He whom he had seen expiring upon 
the cross was alive again, to die or suffer no 
more. 

During the interview a most instructive con- 



168 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



versation took place between Jesus and Peter,* 
at the end of which Jesus intimated to Peter, 
that he would finally be called to suffer death 
for his sake. According to his frequent prac- 
tice of teaching by significant action, Jesus 
then said to Peter, " Follow me." That is, 
" Come after me now, and show thereby that 
you are willing to conform to my example, and 
to follow me, even in sufferings similar to those 
which I have passed through." 

Peter arose at once and walked after Jesus. 
As they passed along, John arose and followed 
too. Thus silently and modestly he intimated 
his willingness to suffer likewise in the service 
of so gracious a Master. " There is a pecu- 
liar spirit and tenderness in this plain passage. 
Jesus orders Peter to follow him in token of 
his readiness to lay down his life in his cause. 
John does not stay for any such command. He 
rises and follows too, but says not one word of 
his own love or zeal. He chooses that the ac- 
tion only shall speak this ; and even when he 
records the circumstance in his Gospel, he 
says nothing of the meaning of the action, but, 
with beautiful simplicity, merely relates the 
fact. If here and there a generous heart sees 
and admires the action, be it so ; but he is not 
solicitous that they should. It was an act ad- 
dressed to his beloved Master, and John was 
satisfied that he understood it." 

Turning about and seeing John following 
also, Peter was anxious to know whether he 
* See Life of Peter. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 169 

should also die a martyr. To ascertain this 
fact he inquired, " Lord, and what shall this 
man do ?" Jesus replied, " If I will that he 
tarry till I come, what is that to thee ? follow 
thou me." Some suppose the meaning of the 
Saviour to be, " If I will that John be spared 
until after my coming, and inflict signal punish- 
ment upon the Jewish nation, what is that to 
thee P? Perhaps, however, the meaning may 
be, u If I will that he should escape the malice 
of his enemies, and remain unhurt till I come 
to take him away by a natural death, what is 
that to thee ?" In either case, it teaches us to 
avoid a prying curiosity respecting the future 
events of providence. We are not to let even 
a tender concern for our beloved brethren lead 
us to pry curiously into futurity. Our business 
is to follow Jesus, and leave all our concerns in 
his hands. 

It was probably some time after this inter- 
view that Jesus fulfilled his promise of meet- 
ing the disciples upon the mountain. That time 
at length arrived, and from the very nature of 
the case, as well as from what St. Paul says in 
1 Cor. xv, 6, 7, we may conclude that many of 
the followers of Jesus went with joy to meet 
their Lord. 

It is not unlikely that the mountain selected 
for this happy meeting was the same which 
had been honoured as the scene of the transfi- 
guration. If it had accorded with the design 
of the apostles, they might have gratified us 
with a most interesting account of this inter- 



170 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

view. I take it for granted that this was the 
same occurrence spoken of by St. Paul, and if 
so, then more than five hundred persons went 
out to the appointed place. What an interest- 
ing company was this ! There, perchance, was 
Jairus, with his wife and lovely daughter, whom 
Jesus had raised from the dead. And where 
were the two blind men who had followed Jesus 
through the streets of Capernaum, and whose 
eyes he had opened ? and where Bartimeus, 
who first saw the light in the plain of Jericho ? 
Would they fail to be there ? Then too the 
widow's son, who had been restored to life at 
the gates of Nain ; and Lazarus with his sis- 
ters from Bethany, were they not found among 
the eager crowd? How full of joyful expecta- 
tion were the hearts of this pious company as 
they wound their way up the sides of the moun- 
tain! And among them all, whose heart beat 
higher than that of the amiable John, as he 
supported Mary, his adopted mother, to meet 
her risen Son? As they go, it is not unlikely 
that John employs the time in relating the scene 
of the transfiguration. No one had witnessed 
that majestic and glorious scene but himself, 
and James, and Peter ; and Jesus had strictly 
charged them not to speak of it until after his 
resurrection. That resurrection had now taken 
place, and John was at liberty to publish what 
he had seen. The news of such an event could 
not fail to excite the highest interest ; and what 
could delight John more than to make it known 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 171 

to Mary, the highly favoured mother of such an 
illustrious Son? 

Having at length reached the summit of the 
mount, they wait in almost breathless suspense, 
until suddenly their Divine Master stands in 
their midst. They gaze in wonder and delight. 
It is indeed Jesus, the very same to whom 
they have so often listened — with whom they 
have ate and drunk, and who has wrought such 
wonders in their sight. They see even the 
scars in his hands and feet, which he has re- 
tained as evidences of his identity. 

What he said to them on this occasion we 
know not. Doubtless his words were full of 
instruction and comfort. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

The Ascension. 

After the interview upon the mountain, John 
and his brethren returned to Jerusalem. There 
Jesus had appointed to meet them, and while 
they were there assembled he appeared again 
in their midst. The time of his departure was 
now at hand, and he accordingly commenced 
giving them his last instructions. He remind- 
ed them of his former discourses, in which he 
had foretold his death and resurrection. He 
pointed them to the predictions in the writings 
of Moses and the prophets, and in the Psalms, 



172 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

concerning himself, and showed them how 
many of these predictions had already been ful- 
filled. Then by a divine influence he strength- 
ened and enlarged their understandings, and 
specially enlightened them in the meaning of 
the Old Testament Scriptures. He gave them 
more just and enlarged views of the nature of 
his mission among men, and showed them that 
by that very death which had so deeply afflict- 
ed and so greatly discouraged them, a provi- 
sion of mercy had been made for a perishing 
world. Then he informed them of the great 
work in which they were to be employed. They 
were to be witnesses of the miracles they had 
seen, of his death and resurrection ; and were 
in his name to offer remission of sins and 
peace with God among all nations, beginning 
at Jerusalem. To qualify them for so import- 
ant a work, he promised in a few days to send 
upon them a much larger measure of divine 
influence. Thus they were to go forth, not in 
their own strength, but endued with "power 
from on high" 

The time at length arrived when he was to 
take his final departure. It was a glorious 
scene, — the crowning event of his life. He had 
entered the world under a veil of deep humilia- 
tion, and had generally concealed the glory of 
his true character during his abode in it. Now 
he was about to depart in splendour and ma- 
jesty, and to make his triumphant entry into 
that "glory which he had with the Father before 
the world was" Accordingly he led the apos- 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 173 

ties out to the Mount of Olives, near to Bethany, 
where he renewed his promise of sending the 
Holy Spirit in the plenitude of his gifts and in- 
fluence, and gave them their final commission : 
" Ye shall receive power," said he, " after the 
Holy Ghost is come upon you ; and shall be 
witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in all 
Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost 
parts of the earth. All power," said he, " is 
given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye, 
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them 
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and 
of the Holy Ghost ; teaching them to observe 
all things whatsoever I have commanded you : 
he that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved, 
and he that believeth not, shall be damned. 
And these signs shall follow them that believe.* 
In my name shall they cast out devils, they 
shall speak with new tongues, [shall speak lan- 
guages which they have never learned,] they 
shall take up serpents, [poisonous serpents, and 
remain unharmed,] and if they shall drink any 
deadly thing, it shall not hurt them : they shall 
lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 

* Our Lord does not here promise to continue 
these miraculous gifts in the church always. He sim- 
ply promises to give them to the apostles and others 
among their fellow-labourers. This promise was abund- 
antly fulfilled, as we learn from the "Acts of the Apos- 
tles," and from the Epistles. They were necessary 
to assist the infant church in opposing heathenism and 
idolatry ; and for convincing the world that Christian- 
ity was from God. When these miraculous powers 
were no longer needed, they were withdrawn. 



174 



LIFE OK JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



And lo, I am with you [and your successors in 
the gospel ministry] alway, even unto the end 
of the world, Amen." 

All things were now completed, and Jesus 
was ready to depart. As a last token of his 
tender affection, he lifted up his hands and 
blessed them ; and while engaged in this act, 
he was parted from them, and ascended up into 
heaven. A bright cloud encircled him as he 
leisurely rose, until at length he disappeared in 
the distant heavens. Thus he departed in tri- 
umph from the very mount, and near the very 
place, where he had been betrayed and bound ; 
and from which he had been led away like 
a criminal, to be tried for his life, insulted, 
scourged, condemned, and crucified. 

John and his companions stood lost in won- 
der and delight, and looking steadfastly toward 
the place where he had disappeared. As they 
thus gazed, suddenly two angels stood by them. 
Probably they were the same which the women 
had seen at the sepulchre. They had tarried 
behind their Lord to speak a word of comfort 
to the disciples. They assured them that they 
should see their beloved Master again. " This 
same Jesus," said they, " which is taken up 
from you into heaven, shall so come in like 
manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." 
That is, he shall come in power and great glory, 
to assemble the nations for the final judg- 

MENT OF THE GREAT DAY. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 175 



CHAPTER XXIV. 
The feast of Pentecost and gift of tongues. 

The apostles began about this time to mani- 
fest a portion of that moral courage and intre- 
pidity for which they afterward became so emi- 
nent. Though surrounded by difficulties and 
dangers, they did not yield to discouragement 
or fear. True, the Master who had so long 
been with them, and around whom they had 
gathered like children around a parent, was 
gone. He no longer journeyed with them, 
no longer awed their enemies by his visible 
presence, nor put them to silence by the wis- 
dom of his heart-searching discourses and re- 
plies. On the other hand, the Jewish leaders 
had lost none of their rancour toward their 
Master or his followers. They had got a taste 
of blood, and were quite ready to follow up 
their work until the new religion was fairly 
exterminated. Jerusalem was the head-quar- 
ters of the bloody band, and that band had at 
their command power and influence, with plenty 
of spies and informers. But, agreeably to the 
instructions of Jesus, the apostles went back 
into the very midst of these bloodthirsty foes. 
They went back to make Jerusalem their head- 
quarters too, and to prepare for opening their 
mission there. They intended giving the first 
offers of life to the very city which was now 
crimson, as it were, with their Master's blood. 



176 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

But though the apostles intended thus to ful- 
fill their Lord's instructions, they felt that they 
were not yet fully prepared for such a work. 
Their first business, therefore, was to seek the 
needed preparation. For this purpose they 
procured a large upper room, perhaps the same 
in which they had eaten the passover. Here 
were assembled the eleven apostles, with the 
devout women who had shown so much attach- 
ment to their Lord at his crucifixion. Mary 
the mother of Jesus is particularly mentioned 
as one of the number, and it is probable that 
the seventy whom Jesus had chosen, and sent 
out to preach before his death, were also pre- 
sent. The whole number of persons thus as- 
sembled amounted to one hundred and twenty. 
These pious persons were of one heart and 
one soul. Their object was not to talk over 
the wonderful things which they had witness- 
ed, but to pray for that larger measure of divine 
influence which Jesus had promised to send 
upon them. While they prayed, their hearts 
grew warm. Though their Master was absent 
in body, they felt that he was present in spirit, 
and their souls held sweet communion with 
him. Thus they were delightfully drawn out 
in earnest desire for more of that heavenly 
spirit which they felt already kindling in their 
hearts. In this happy frame of mind they con- 
tinued for a number of days, rejoicing in what 
they had received, but earnestly looking for 
more. 

While they were thus engaged, the feast of 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 177 



pentecost began. It was held in remembrance 
of the giving of the law from Mount Sinai. 
Thousands came up to Jerusalem to attend this 
festival, as they had at the feast of the pass- 
over. The extreme passion of the Jews for 
commerce, together with their frequent capti- 
vities, had scattered them in all the surrounding 
countries. Accordingly we are told that at this 
festival they came from Parthia, or Persia, Me- 
dia, Mesopotamia, Pontus, Cappadocia, Phry- 
gia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Lybia, Cyrene, Rome, 
Crete, and Arabia. Indeed, Jerusalem was 
thronged with citizens and strangers. 

The apostles were still in their retirement, 
waiting for the Spirit to descend and impart the 
plenitude of his gifts and graces. Suddenly a 
sound was heard. It appeared to John and his 
companions like a mighty wind rushing down 
from heaven. It came as the harbinger of the 
Lord announcing his approach. Then follow- 
ed the Spirit with his all-pervading energy, 
filling every soul with light, life, love, and 
power. Such a flood of light was poured in 
upon the understandings of the apostles, that 
the whole scope and design of Christianity were 
opened before them. They saw it in all its 
glory and fulness. The prophecies of the Old 
Testament Scriptures were all plain, and the 
teachings, sufferings, death, and resurrection of 
their Master were fully understood. At the 
same time they were filled with unutterable love. 
They felt united to their Lord as by twice ten 
thousand ties. They rejoiced in him with a 
12 



178 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



joy unspeakable and full of glory. Power was 
also imparted at the same time. They felt in 
themselves an energy of spirit that mocked at 
danger. Their spirits rose superior to fear, 
and a bed of burning coals would have no more 
appalled them than a bed of roses. But this 
was not all. A plenitude of miraculous gifts 
was also given. Their tongues became " as 
the pen of a ready writer ;" so that, though un- 
skilled and unpractised in the arts of oratory, 
they could, notwithstanding, speak with the ut- 
most ease and fluency. Nor was this all. They 
also became all at once complete masters of a 
variety of foreign languages. The Greek, the 
Arabic, the Latin, and Persian, were as familiar 
to them as the language which they had spoken 
from their childhood. Without passing through 
the tedious process of studying these languages, 
they found themselves in a single hour able to 
converse, preach, or write in these various 
tongues. These miraculous gifts were intend- 
ed as evidences of the truth of Christianity. 
And what could be a more convincing proof? 
Who could doubt that God had sent these men ? 
But a little time since, and they were unlettered 
fishermen, following their lowly occupation on 
the sea of Galilee. Now they can converse 
with a Greek, a Persian, a Roman, or an Ara- 
bian, in his own native tongue. 

The news of these strange events spread ra- 
pidly in the city. Multitudes flocked together, 
and the apostles without delay opened their 
mission among them. They probably repaired 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



179 



to the temple, for the purpose of giving as large 
a number as possible an opportunity of hearing ; 
and as the multitude gathered in from all quar- 
ters, the apostles began to preach to them con- 
cerning Jesus and the resurrection. There you 
might have seen Peter, borne away as it were 
on the tide of his strong feelings. He forgets 
himself, forgets the malice of his enemies, for- 
gets his own safety or danger. He is only 
anxious for the, honour of his Master and the 
salvation of his hearers, and in words that 
burn and glow, he pours forth a torrent of hea- 
venly eloquence. He no longer trembles be- 
fore his enemies, but hundreds tremble under 
his heart-searching appeals to their undestand- 
ings and their hearts. It fell to his lot to ad- 
dress his own people in their own language, 
and most effectually did he do it. Many were 
pricked in the heart, and cried out, " Men and 
brethren, what shall we do V Peter told them 
to repent of their sins, every one of them, and 
embrace Jesus as their Saviour, and their only 
refuge, and to be baptized in his name ; thus 
enrolling themselves among his disciples. 

During this time the other apostles were not 
idle. They were scattered among the people, 
preaching to the different companies of natives 
and foreigners the same truths with Peter. 
There perchance you might have seen a com- 
pany of Latins or Romans, gathered around the 
amiable John ; while mild and irresistible per- 
suasion sat upon every feature of his counte- 
nance, was seen in every gesture, and heard in 



180 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



every tone of his voice. The sincerity with 
which he adduced facts, the artlessness of his 
manner, the winning kindness of his address, for 
once, at least, disarmed bigotry of its bitterness, 
and melted even the opposer into tears. We 
may conclude, at least, that such was the case 
with some of his hearers. 

In the course of this memorable day, three 
thousand persons were converted and added to 
the church. Yes, three thousand in one day, 
and that too in Jerusalem itself. Such an event 
was so unexpected, and came so suddenly, that 
the priests and rulers were confounded. They 
supposed the new religion, as they were pleased 
to regard it, had been effectually crushed. They 
fancied that at the feast of the passover it had 
annoyed them for the last time, and had then 
expired with its Author. Though the news of 
the resurrection of their victim had alarmed 
them for a time, yet as Jesus had not been seen 
in the temple, nor been found publicly teaching 
the people, they had quieted their fears, and 
were fondly hoping the matter was at rest. As 
to the apostles, they did not dream of any at- 
tempts on their part at reviving the doctrines of 
Jesus, and his claims to the Messiahship. In 
their estimation, there was nothing to fear from 
a company of men so unlearned that they had 
but just left their fishing boats, and so timid 
that they had fled at the first approach of dan- 
ger. How then were they astonished to see 
these men standing up boldly and publicly, and 
•with surprising energy of manner, and clear- 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 181 



ness of argument, supporting the claims of their 
Master, by appeals to prophecy and undeniable 
facts ! They did indeed make a feeble effort 
to discredit the miracle which was so visible to 
all. When they saw the apostles preaching 
with energy and power, and that in languages 
they had never learned, they cried out, " These 
men are drunken; they are filled with new 
wine." But here again they only established 
what they wished to destroy. They showed 
the weakness of their cause by the badness of 
their argument. 

John and his fellow-apostles now went for- 
ward in their work with zeal and energy. They 
were rilled with love one toward another, and 
their hearts yearned with tender compassion 
over their blinded countrymen. Impelled by 
this tender pity, and encouraged by the felt 
presence of their Master, they laboured in pub- 
lic and in private, and God crowned their efforts 
with snccess. Numbers were daily added to 
their community, and " the word of the Lord 
ran and was glorified." 



CHAPTER XXV. 
John and Peter before the sanhedrim. 

We have already observed how Jesus wrought 
miracles wherever he went. He was now gone, 
having ascended up where he was before his 
visit among men. But his Spirit had not de- 



I 

182 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

parted. It rested upon the apostles, and of this 
they now began to give ample proof. It is 
pleasing, too, to see that their miracles were of 
the same benevolent character with those of 
their Master. He might justly have employed 
them in bringing down curses upon a guilty 
people, such as he once commissioned Moses 
to bring upon Egypt. He had only to give 
them the warrant for such a work, and the foun- 
tains of Jerusalem would have turned to blood ; 
the foundations would have heaved and rolled 
under the city ; the earth would have opened, 
and the sanhedrim, with its council chamber, 
have sunk, as did the tents of Korah, Dathan, 
and Abiram. But it was not so. The long- 
suffering of God had not yet come to an end. 
He had still thoughts of mercy toward these 
persevering sinners. The course he still in- 
tended to pursue was one of winning kindness 
and tender mercy. Accordingly, we shall see 
the apostles going forth to select the objects of 
affliction and sorrow, on which to exert their 
miraculous power. 

The first case of this kind which occurred 
after the death of Jesus was a very interesting 
one. The subject was a poor cripple, lame 
from his birth. Through all the period of child- 
hood, while his companions engaged in their 
active sports, rambling into the fields and gar 
dens, and among the flowers and fountains, he 
was doomed to perpetual confinement. His 
poor shrunken limbs refused to move, and from 
morn to evening he sat in his dull solitude. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



183 



His friends appear to have been too poor to 
minister to his wants, so that when he grew up 
he was regularly carried and set down by one 
of the gates of the temple, called H the Beauti- 
ful gate," to seek a scanty subsistence by beg- 
ging. Here he became well known to those 
who passed by, as the lame beggar who sat at 
" the Beautiful gate of the temple." 

About three o'clock one afternoon, as John and 
Peter were entering the temple to attend the even- 
ing sacrifice, and offer the evening prayer, they 
saw this man, who asked for alms. They paused, 
and Peter said to him, " Look on us." The man 
looked up imploringly, expecting to receive a gift. 
Then said Peter, " Silver and gold have I none, 
but such as I have, give I unto thee. In the name 
of Jesus of Nazareth, rise up and walk." The 
man had probably heard of Jesus before. Per- 
haps he knew some who had been healed by 
him. Instead therefore of objecting, or doubt- 
ing, he was ready to make the effort. To en- 
courage him still more, Peter gave him his hand 
to assist him in rising. The man believed and 
arose ; he stood upon his feet, they were strong; 
he then walked, and they did not fail ; then he 
tried them by leaping, and behold they were 
sound indeed. Filled with joyful surprise, he 
went with Peter and John into the temple, walk- 
ing, leaping, and praising God. # 

Many of the people who had assembled at 

* How accurn^ly did this miracle fulfil the predic 
tion of Isaiah, v here he declared, that in the days of 
the Messiah " thi lame should leap like a hart /" 



184 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

the hour of prayer knew the restored man. 
They had often seen him sitting by " the Beau- 
tiful gate," and had perhaps sometimes relieved 
his necessities. They had no more expected 
to see him walk than to see him fly ; but here 
he was in perfect raptures, ready to show every 
one how he could walk, and even leap ; and at 
the same time praising God for such a wonder- 
ful cure. 

The news of this new miracle took wing and 
flew abroad in the city, and numbers came to- 
gether to see what was done. They gathered 
around Peter and John and the lame man, and 
were filled with wonder at what they saw. 
This afforded a fine opportunity for preach- 
ing them a gospel sermon, and it was not suf- 
fered to pass unimproved. Peter began with 
his usual promptness and eloquence. He as- 
sured them that it was not by their own power 
that they had enabled the lame man to walk, 
but by the power of that Jesus, who, though 
crucified by their rulers, was alive again, and 
was the true and long-promised Messiah. He 
then went on to quote the Old Testament Scrip- 
tures, and show how the predictions of the pro- 
phets were fulfilled in him, and to exhort them 
to repent of their sins, and trust in him as their 
only, but all-suflicient Saviour. By this time 
the news of the miracle, and of Peter's preach- 
ing, had reached some of the priests and the 
Sadducees. They came in haste with the cap- 
tain of the temple, and while Peter was in the 
midst of his sermon, he and John were seized 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 185 

and hurried away to prison. But Peter's dis- 
course had already taken effect ; many who 
had heard believed, and from that time number- 
ed themselves among the followers of Jesus. 

On the following day the sanhedrim was as- 
sembled. Those who had been first and fore- 
most in procuring the death of Jesus were pre- 
sent. The council probably met in the same 
room where they held their mock trial over 
him, and where he had been bound, mocked, 
and condemned. 

John and Peter were now brought forward 
to be tried by the same bloody court. They 
see before them the same countenances which 
they saw on that trial, and hear the same voices 
which clamoured before the bar of Pilate for 
innocent blood. It was in vain to hope for jus- 
tice, or to urge the plea of innocence in such 
a place. But neither John nor Peter was in 
the least daunted. A great change had been 
wrought in them since they were last in that 
place. Then John had entered trembling, and 
Peter had quailed before the questions and ac- 
cusations of an insignificant servant maid. Now 
not a muscle faltered, not a nerve was agitated. 
As these holy men stood erect before the coun- 
cil, the question was put, " By what power, or 
by what name, have ye done this ?" This ques- 
tion gave the apostles just the opportunity they 
desired. They had been arraigned for preach- 
ing Christ to the people in the temple : they 
now took occasion to preach him to the sanhe- 
drim. Peter again took the lead. It was but 



186 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

right that he should do so, for he had been 
frightened into a denial of his Master at the 
very time he was arraigned before this same 
court. Here then he had an opportunity given 
him for redeeming his character by nobly con- 
fessing him. To the question of the council 
he replied, " Ye rulers of the people, and elders 
of Israel, if we this day be examined of the 
good deed done to the impotent man, by what 
means he is made whole ; be it known unto 
you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by 
the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom 
ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, 
even by him doth this man stand before you 
whole. This is the stone which was set at 
naught of you builders, which is become the 
head of the corner. Neither is there salvation 
in any other : for there is none other name un- 
der heaven given among men whereby we must 
be saved." 

The boldness of Peter and John, and the 
pointed reply which they had received, con- 
founded the court. They were astonished that 
these unlettered men, who had doubtless been 
summoned for the first time in their lives be- 
fore a court of justice, should be able to speak 
with as much ease and fluency as the most 
practised orators. But if this surprised them, 
the charge of crucifying their own Messiah, 
and Peter's positive declaration of his resurrec- 
tion, struck them dumb with conscious shame 
and guilt. To add to their confusion and dis- 
may, the man who had been healed, and whom 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 187 

they knew, had followed Peter and John into 
the court room. There he stood, a living mo- 
nument of the truth, power, and benevolence of 
that religion which these holy men were ar- 
raigned for preaching. It was now to be seen 
whether they would punish men for performing 
such miracles of mercy. Finding themselves 
in this sad dilemma, they commanded Peter and 
John to retire. When they were left to them- 
selves, they reasoned thus with each other : 
" What shall we do to these men ? for that in- 
deed a notable miracle hath been done by them 
is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; 
and we cannot deny it. But, that it spread no 
farther among the people, let us straitly threat- 
en them, that they speak henceforth to no man 
in this name. And they called them, and com- 
manded them not to speak at all, nor teach, in 
the name of Jesus. But Peter and John an- 
swered and said unto them, Whether it be right 
in the sight of God to hearken unto you more 
than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but 
speak the things which we have seen and 
heard. So, when they had farther threatened 
them, they let them go, finding nothing how 
they might punish them, because of the people : 
for all men glorified God for that which was 
done. For the man was above forty years old 
on whom this miracle of healing was showed." 

Finding themselves once more at liberty, 
John and his companion returned and informed 
their brethren of all that had passed. The 
whole company then fell upon their knees, and 



188 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



implored the blessing of God, that they might 
at all times be ready to face danger or death in 
proclaiming his truth. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 
John with his brethren imprisoned and scourged. 

Two very remarkable sayings which Jesus 
had uttered before his crucifixion began now to 
be fulfilled. In one of these he had assured 
the apostles that they should not only be able 
to work such miracles as they had seen him 
perform, but even greater. In the other he had 
forewarned them, that notwithstanding the holi- 
ness of their lives, and the benevolence of their 
actions, they should be hated, reviled, imprison- 
ed, and brought before judges and rulers as 
though they were the worst of criminals. At 
the same time he had promised to give them 
such answers and such wisdom as their adver- 
saries should not be able to gainsay or resist. 

The first of these predictions began to be ful- 
filled, and soon led to the accomplishment of 
the second. We have seen already, that while 
Jesus himself did not probably see fit to speak 
in more than one language, the apostles spoke 
in many. This was one greater work than 
their Master had performed. But in addition 
to this, they now began to perform a whole 
series of the most surprising miracles. They 
healed vast numbers of the sick, who were 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 189 



brought, not only from various parts of the city, 
but also from the surrounding country. Indeed, 
such signs and wonders were wrought by these 
holy men, that the people brought forth the sick 
into the streets, and laid them on beds and 
couches, " that at least the shadow of Peter 
passing by might overshadow some of them." 
Though we are not directly informed that any 
were healed in this manner, yet it is not un- 
likely that many were. But even if none were 
thus made whole, still the fact of their cure 
being looked for in such ways, shows how won- 
derful the miracles must have been which in- 
spired such expectations. 

It was not long that the apostles were per- 
mitted to pursue their benevolent work unmo- 
lested. They were establishing a religion of 
holiness in a world of sin ; a religion of truth 
in a world of error ; a religion of peace and 
purity in a world of contention and depravity. 
Such a world would not tolerate such a religion. 

The Sadducees, a set of skeptics who denied 
a future state, or the existence of angel or spi- 
rit, were enraged at the miracles of the apos- 
tles, because those miracles, being wrought in 
the name of Jesus, proved the doctrine of the 
resurrection. They saw at once if Jesus was 
proved to be alive, and that by his power such 
works were wrought, a state of existence after 
death must be acknowledged. And if this 
were acknowledged, Sadduceeism was of course 
false. 

The priests were enraged, because if Jesus 



190 LIFE OF JOHxN THE APOSTLE. 

was received as the Messiah, then they who 
rejected him were proved to be blind guides, 
and their influence and revenues must decline 
just in proportion as the doctrines of Jesus pre- 
vailed. 

The rulers were enraged ; for if Jesus was 
the Messiah, then they were murderers of the 
worst stamp. 

The Pharisees were enraged ; for the doc- 
trines of Jesus tore off the mask of their hypo- 
crisy, and left them no hope but in that holy, 
humble, self-denying religion which they hated. 

With such a torrent against them, John and 
his companions went on in their work. They 
envied none, but loved all. Their most bitter 
enemies shared their pity and their prayers. 
While thus engaged, the high priest, Caiaphas, 
had them seized and thrust into prison. But 
during the first night of their confinement God 
sent his angel, who silently opened the prison 
doors and brought them all out, telling them to 
go boldly into the temple and preach to the 
people. 

The next morning the sanhedrim came to- 
gether, and sent officers to bring them out for 
trial. The officers repaired to the prison, and 
found the guards at their places and the doors 
securely shut : but when they went in to bring 
out the prisoners, behold not a man of them was 
to be found. They returned and told the court 
that they had found the doors all bolted, and the 
keepers standing without, guarding them, but 
no prisoners were there. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



191 



While the council were in the midst of their 
astonishment and perplexity, a messenger ar- 
rived to inform them that their prisoners were 
in the temple, teaching the people. 

Unawed by the miracle which God had 
wrought for the deliverance of his servants, 
these impious judges sent the officers to the 
temple to seize their victims a second time. 
The apostles went cheerfully with the officers 
and stood before the council. The high priest 
immediately inquired, " Did we not strictly com- 
mand you that you should not teach in this 
name? [the name of Jesus,] and behold ye have 
filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend 
to bring this man's blood upon us." 

Peter immediately replied, " We ought to 
obey God rather than men. The God of our 
fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and 
hanged on a tree : him hath God exalted with 
his right hand, a Prince and a Saviour, to give 
repentance unto Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 
And we are witnesses of these things ; [his re- 
surrection in particular;] and so also is the Holy 
Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey 
him." 

This plain statement of facts so enraged the 
high priest and his associates, that they " took 
counsel to slay" the apostles at once. But one of 
their number, named Gamaliel, who excelled the 
rest as much in his moderation as he did in his 
wisdom, rose, and by a sensible speech turned 
aside their wicked purpose. Accordingly, the 
intention of putting them to death was laid 



192 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

aside. But they were not allowed to go until 
the spirit of malice had wreaked a portion of its 
vengeance upon them. These holy men were 
cruelly whipped, each one receiving probably 
thirty-nine strokes of the bloody scourge. Such 
was the reward which the mild and amiable 
John and his companions received for the love 
they bore to their perishing countrymen. They 
retired, covered with blood and wounds; yet 
rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suf- 
fer in the cause of their beloved Master. 

Not in the least tired of their work, or dis- 
couraged by their sufferings, John and his bre- 
thren embraced the first opportunity to return to 
the temple and resume their preaching; and 
not satisfied with barely preaching in public, 
they went from house to house, confirming the 
believers, and adding to the number of their 
converts. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

John and Peter visit Samaria — Death of James. 

Friendship is a delightful solace, especially 
in times of difficulty and danger. It is sweet 
at such seasons to have a friend with whom we 
can advise, and who enters into all our feelings 
and interests. So John and Peter found it at 
this time. After the ascension of their Master 
they were almost constantly together, and the 
most agreeable friendship existed between them. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 193 



They seemed resolved to labour and suffer in 
company. This union seems to have been pro- 
ductive of as much profit as pleasure. Peter 
was a man of a high order of intellect, and 
great energy and activity of character. He was 
formed by nature for taking the lead in any en- 
terprise which required promptness and vigour 
of action. Being a ready and eloquent speaker, 
and an older man than John, he generally took 
the lead on all public occasions. But John was 
a man of prudence, and of a most mild and 
winning address. If Peter was the best public 
orator, John, I doubt not, was most useful by 
the fireside and in the social circle. Peter was 
the best preacher, John the best pastor. By 
going in company and uniting their various gifts, 
they could carry forward their work, both pub- 
licly and from house to house. If Peter made 
converts, John could confirm and build them up 
in the faith. Reasons of this kind, we may pre- 
sume, induced their Master to send them out to- 
gether. 

Some time after their last imprisonment we 
find them together in Samaria. A revival of 
religion had commenced there under the preach- 
ing of Philip, one of the seven deacons named 
in the sixth chapter of " The Acts of the Apos- 
tles." When the news of this revival reached 
Jerusalem, Peter and John went immediately to 
Samaria to assist in the good work. 

John's feelings had undergone quite a change 
since the time of his former visit to Samaria. 
At that time the unkindness of the people had 
13 



194 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

displeased him so highly, that he thought of 
calling down fire from heaven to consume them. 
Now he had much more love, and much less 
indiscreet zeal. He went on this occasion not 
to call down fire to consume them, but to call 
down mercy to pardon, and grace to renew 
them. 

John and Peter were eminently useful during 
this visit. They not only encouraged and as- 
sisted Philip, but, by prayers and the imposition 
of their hands, they imparted miraculous gifts 
to several who were destined to take the lead 
in the newly formed church in Samaria. They 
also put a stop to the wicked career of one Si- 
mon, a juggler, who had been in the habit of 
deceiving the people. 

Having tarried for some time in Samaria, they 
at length set out on their return. But they were 
unwilling to make their journey homeward, 
without sowing some of the good seed of the 
kingdom on the way. Accordingly, as they 
passed through the cities and villages of the 
Samaritans, they preached the gospel to the 
people. We have no particular account of the 
success of their labours ; but, doubtless, they 
afterward met some souls saved, in heaven, as 
the fruit of their holy toil. 

Events were at this time following each other 
in rapid succession, which were some of the 
most interesting and important the world ever 
saw. John and his companions were engaged 
in the great work of establishing a religion for 
the whole world : a religion destined to be as 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 195 



lasting as time, as extensive as the race of man- 
kind, and as beneficial in its effects as heaven 
is high and glorious. Nothing could be more 
gratifying than a history of each day in the 
lives of these holy men: but then the Bible 
was given for higher purposes than the mere 
gratification of curiosity. Hence only those 
events are related which are most useful. We 
have only a brief outline of the history of those 
times, and must be content to learn the rest 
when we join the society of the apostles and 
early Christians, and have an eternity before us 
for that and other employments. We may then, 
perhaps, converse with John himself, and hear 
from him in detail the history of the great work 
in which he w T as employed. Most of his life 
after his return from Samaria is passed over in 
entire silence ; though from his writings, and 
those of the early Christians, some general facts 
may be learned. 

Some time after John's visit to Samaria, an 
event occurred which must have been exceed- 
ingly painful to his tender and affectionate spirit. 
This was his final separation from his brother 
James. James was one of the three who had 
been permitted to witness some of the most im- 
portant events in the life of Jesus. With John 
and Peter he was on the mount and beheld his 
Lord's transfiguration. With the same disciples 
he was a witness of the agony in the garden ; 
and from the frequent mention of his name he 
appears to have been a leading person among 
the apostles. This holy and useful man was 



19G LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



the first who followed his Master to death, and 
the first who followed him to his glory. He was 
seized by order of Herod Agrippa, and put to 
death. Clemens Alexandrinus, one of the early 
Christian writers, says, that his courage and 
constancy during his trial were such that his 
accuser was convinced of the truth and excel- 
lence of Christianity, and came and fell down 
at his feet, begging pardon for what he had said 
against him. James replied, " Peace, my son ; 
peace be to thee, and pardon to thy faults." 
The accuser then declared himself to be a 
Christian, and was condemned to be beheaded 
with the apostle. 

Thus was John bereaved of that dear brother 
with whom he had been brought up from his 
infancy. They had spent the happy days of 
childhood together, and together assisted their 
father in providing for the wants of the family. 
At the same time they had become the disciples 
of Jesus, and had been among his most con- 
stant and faithful attendants. Thus they were 
endeared to each other by ties of nature, habit, 
and occupation, and much more so by the strong 
and tender ties of grace. But the iron hand of 
persecution severed them, and John was left to 
weep in the loneliness of bereavement. But he 
could say, as Paul afterward said, " Though 
sorrowful, yet always rejoicing ; though cast 
down, yet not destroyed. " He knew James had 
gone up to paradise; and while he and his sor- 
rowing companions grieved for their loss, they 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



197 



were consoled with the thought that heaven re- 
joiced and welcomed an apostle to his rest. 

44 Mortals cried, * A man is dead !' 
Angels sung, * A child is born.' " 

Yes ; James had gone up to behold the King 
in his beauty, and dwell in the presence of his 
glorified Master. To that blessed world John 
too was steering his steady course, joyfully 
looking for a reunion with his departed brother 
in that blessed world where union knows no 
separation. 

44 There all the ship's company meet, 
Who sail'd with the Saviour beneath ; 
With shouting, each other they greet, 
And triumph o'er sorrow and death. 

The voyage of life's at an end ; 
The mortal affliction is past ; 
The age that in heaven they spend 
For ever and ever shall last." 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

John goes to reside in Asia Minor. 

Though John is supposed to have lived sixty 
years, or more, after the death of James, yet 
we have very few materials for tracing his sub- 
sequent history. He is supposed to have pur- 
sued his labours chiefly in and near Jerusalem, 
until the death of Mary, the mother of Jesus. 



198 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



After this he went into Asia Minor, and labour- 
ed in Ephesus and the adjacent cities. The 
churches in Smyrna, Thyatira, Pergamos, Sar- 
dis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, are said to 
have been founded by him. Ephesus, however, 
was his principal place of residence. 

During his abode in Asia Minor, and about 
thirty-eight years after the ascension, the pre- 
dictions of Jesus concerning the destruction of 
Jerusalem began to be fulfilled. John had been 
long expecting this event. He was one of the 
four who sat with Jesus on the Mount of Olives, 
when he predicted that the temple should be so 
completely overthrown that not one stone should 
be left upon another. That time now came in 
all its horror. The Christians took the warning 
which their Master had left them, and embraced 
an early opportunity to flee from the devoted 
city. It was surrounded by the Roman armies 
soon after their departure. The guilty city, 
which had crucified the world's Redeemer, and 
persecuted his followers, was filled with the 
alarms of war. At the same time sedition raged 
within. The temple was converted into «. cita- 
del, and filled with pools of blood and heaps 
of slain. Famine and pestilence followed, and 
Jerusalem seemed throughout like one vast 
slaughter-house. Thousands, who attempted to 
escape, were arrested and butchered by their own 
countrymen ; while thousands more were seized 
and put to death by the Romans. Many of 
these were crucified, as they had crucified their 



UFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 199 



own Messiah.* At last the city was taken, and 
the famished remnant of the people, who had 
escaped the horrors of the siege, were driven 
away into slavery or thrown to the wild beasts 
in the Roman theatres. Though John had long 
looked for these events, yet he must have been 
greatly affected when they came : but he bowed 
in submission to them, as the just judgments of 
God upon a people who had rejected and cru- 
cified " the Lord of glory." 

Turning from these distressing events, it may 
be well to give here a brief description of the 
new field into which the apostle had entered. 
Among the cities in which he preached, Ephe- 
sus was the chief. It was situated in Asia 
Minor, about forty-five miles south-east of 
Smyrna. The city was built on the Cayster, 
about five miles from the sea. It was delight- 
fully situated on the slope of a hill. Before it, 
on the west, was a lovely plain, covered with 
groves of tamarisks, and watered and beautified 
by the mazy windings of the river. Ephesus 
was the principal place of trade, as well as the 
capital of that part of Asia, and was thronged 
with citizens and strangers. It contained a 
temple of the goddess Diana, which was four 
hundred and twenty-five feet in length, and two 
hundred and twenty in breadth, and was sup- 
ported and ornamented by one hundred and 
twenty-seven marble columns, each seventy feet 

* See Destruction of Jerusalem, published for the Sun- 
day School Union of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



200 LIFE Of JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

ill height. The building of this magnificent 
temple occupied two hundred years. What a 
profusion of skill and treasure was here em- 
ployed to make a corrupt and corrupting reli- 
gion imposing and permanent ! But when John 
first visited Ephesus he found Christianity had 
taken root in this unpromising soil, and a flour- 
ishing church was waging warfare with vice 
and idolatry. 

Smyrna was another city on which John be- 
stowed his labours. It still exists, though it 
has been overthrown at least six times by 
earthquakes, and severely scourged by pesti- 
lence. It stands on a fine bay, formed by the 
river Melas, and has a deep and capacious har- 
bour, affording anchorage for ships of the largest 
class. It contains at present about one hundred 
thousand inhabitants. Smyrna was extolled by 
the ancient writers as the jewel of Asia, over- 
flowing with wealth, and beautiful in works of 
art. 

Thyatira also shared in the interests and ef- 
forts of John. It still exists, and is called by 
the Turks Ak-hisor. The city contains at pre- 
sent about a thousand families, and is situated 
south-east of Smyrna, in the midst of an exten- 
sive plain. 

Pergamos was likewise embraced in the field 
of John's labour, and was situated about sixty 
miles north of Smyrna. The modern city con- 
tains upward of fifteen thousand inhabitants. 
There are still to be seen evidences of its former 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 201 



magnificence, such as granite walls and marble 
columns. 

In Sardis also John is supposed to have 
planted the Christian church. It was about 
thirty miles south-east of Thyatira, and was once 
a splendid city. It was situated at the foot of 
a mountain, and had a delightful plain, watered 
by several fine streams. It is now a miserable 
village, inhabited chiefly by shepherds, who 
keep the numerous flocks which feed upon the 
adjoining plains. To the southward of the town 
there are considerably extensive ruins, which 
remind the visiter of what Sardis was before it 
was desolated by earthquake and the sword. 

Philadelphia was a sixth city in which John 
established the gospel. It stood by the river 
Cogamus, about twenty-five miles south-east of 
Sardis. Philadelphia still exists, and contains 
a population of about fifteen thousand. The 
Turks call it Alah-sher, city of God. 

A seventh city, into which Christianity is said 
to have been introduced by John, was Laodicea. 
It has magnificent ruins, which attest its former 
greatness. The place now presents a scene 
of loneliness and desolation. This city stood 
about forty miles east of Ephesus. 

These populous cities afforded a very im- 
portant station for John, and his usefulness was 
very extensive. He probably spent much of 
his time in going from one to the other, and 
superintending the churches which had been 
established in each of them. His mild dispo- 



202 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



sition and engaging manners must have endear- 
ed him greatly to these churches. Doubtless 
his visits were hailed with joy, and admiring, 
weeping audiences hung upon his lips. Reli- 
gion appeared in him in all its beautiful sim- 
plicity, and in all its melting tenderness. These 
churches had pastors and teachers, whom they 
loved and reverenced; but they looked up to 
John as their inspired guide and spiritual fa- 
ther. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

John banished to Patmos — His vision on the Lord's 
day. 

John had at length become a venerable old 
man. He had grown gray in his Master's 
service, but was still actively engaged in doing 
good. One and another of his early compa- 
nions had left the world, while he still lived, 
and a new generation had grown up around 
him. He had been called to mourn over the 
early death of James, the beheading of Paul, 
the crucifixion of Peter, and probably, at this 
time, was the only apostle living. Mildness of 
disposition and amiableness of manners had, 
doubtless, contributed to his preservation in the 
midst of the bloody and turbulent times through 
which he had passed. But the time at length 
arrived when the storm burst upon him also. 

In the year eighty-one Domitian became em- 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 203 

peror of Rome. His character from his youth 
had been a compound of the most odious vices. 
He was indolent, cruel, and malicious. His 
temper was suspicious, and his life vile and 
licentious. Rome trembled when he obtained 
the crown. For a while he deceived the peo- 
ple by acts of kindness, good laws, and a show 
of justice. But he soon returned to his former 
excesses and cruelty. Under his iniquitous 
reign, the miseries of the people increased to 
such an extent, that no one was secure of his 
property or his life. The tyrant once made a 
feast on purpose to gratify his malicious dispo- 
sition, by terrifying the knights and chief offi- 
cers of the government. They were assem- 
bled in a dark hall, in which were coffins with 
the names of the guests inscribed upon them. 
Suddenly the doors opened, and a troop of na- 
ked men painted black, and with drawn swords 
and torches in their hands, rushed in and danced 
about them. When the emperor had sufficient- 
ly enjoyed the terror of his guests, he dismiss- 
ed the supposed executioners. 

This infamous tyrant reigned fifteen years, 
during which he commenced and carried on a 
most furious persecution against the Christians. 
About forty thousand are supposed to have suf- 
fered martyrdom. John was singled out as one 
of the objects of his rage. Tertullian, an early 
writer, says he was seized and thrown into a 
caldron of boiling oil, and that he came out 
unhurt. This account is however doubted, as 



204 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

it is not mentioned by other writers of those 
times. An account much better established, 
namely, one from his own pen, informs us that 
he was banished to Patmos. This was a small 
island in the Mediterranean Sea. It consisted 
of a rugged rock covered by a thin soil, and 
was used by the Romans as a place of exile 
for criminals. To this desolate spot John was 
banished, when probably about ninety years of 
age. Here he was shut out from society and 
friends, and from all the privileges of the sab- 
bath and the sanctuary. But he was not ba- 
nished from the presence of his Master, or the 
comforts and joys of his religion. Domitian 
in his palace, with his table loaded with luxu- 
ries, and the soft strains of music warbling 
through his halls, with thousands ready to obey 
his nod, and all the grandeur of Rome at his 
command, was in a far worse condition than 
his exiled prisoner. The one could look for- 
ward to a crown of glory, while the blackness 
of darkness gathered around the prospects of 
the other. John is at this moment rejoicing 
amid the glorified spirits, while there is every 
reason to fear that the other dwells with the 
victims of despair. 

During John's abode in Patmos, and on a 
sabbath day, he was favoured with a remarkable 
vision. While he was wholly taken up with 
heavenly thoughts and meditations, and filled 
with the light of the Holy Spirit, he heard be- 
hind him a voice, as of a great and loud trum- 
pet. This voice proclaimed, " I am Alpha and 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 205 



Omega,* the first and the last : and, What thou 
seest, write in a book, and send it unto the 
seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephe- 
sus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and 
unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Phila- 
delphia, and unto Laodicea." 

As John turned to look upon the Being who 
addressed him, he saw seven golden lamps or 
candlesticks, which he was afterward informed 
represented the seven churches in the cities 
named above. These candlesticks were placed 
in a circle, and in the midst of them John saw 
his own beloved Master. But how changed 
from the appearance under which he manifested 
himself in the days of his humiliation! His 
head and his hair were white like wool, and 
his eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet 
were like unto fine brass, as though they glow- 
ed in a burning furnace, and his voice was loud 
and powerful, as the sound of many waters. In 
his right hand he held seven stars, representing 
the angelsf or ministers of the seven churches, 
as being defended by the right hand of his 
power ; and out of his mouth proceeded a sharp 
two-edged sword, the representative of his jus- 

* Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and 
omega the last. They are here used to signify that he 
who addressed the apostle was the first and the last, 
from eternity to eternity, the beginning and the end of 
all things, or in other words, the very and 1 eternal God. 

t The term angel means a messenger. It is gene- 
rally applied to heavenly spirits, but here it means the 
ministers of the seven churches. 



206 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



tice. His countenance was glorious as the sun 
shining in his strength. 

" When I saw him," says John, " I fell at 
his feet as dead. And he laid his hand upon 
me, saying unto me, Fear not, I am the first 
and the last : I am he that liveth and was dead, 
and behold I am alive for evermore, amen, 
and have the keys of hell and death. Write 
the things which thou hast seen, and the things 
which are, and the things which shall be here- 
after." John was then told that the seven stars 
■which he saw in his Master's right hand repre- 
sented the seven pastors or bishops of the se- 
\'en churches ; and that the seven candlesticks 
represented the seven churches themselves. 
He then received a particular message, which 
he was to write, and send to each of these 
churches. The first address was to the church 
at Ephesus, which was commended for several 
of its excellences, but was solemnly admonish- 
ed for having left its first love. 

The church at Smyrna was also commended 
for its many excellences, and no charge was 
brought against it. Its members were admo- 
nished that persecutions awaited them, but ex- 
horted to be faithful unto death, and promised a 
crown of life. The church in Pergamos was 
to be next addressed. In that church Jesus 
saw many things which were praiseworthy, but 
it was greatly in fault by neglecting to exercise 
a godly discipline, and cast out disorderly and 
unholy members. Of this sinful neglect it was 
charged to repent and reform immediately. In 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 209 

Thyatira too there was much to commend, but 
the pastor of that church was found guilty of 
suffering improper and seductive principles to 
be disseminated, without castingout the offender. 
The message to the church in Sardis was one 
of fearful import. " I know," said Jesus, " that 
thou hast a name to live, and art dead." He 
exhorted the members to immediate repentance, 
threatening to forsake them if they did not obey. 
But for the comfort and encouragement of a 
little number who had remained faithful, it was 
added, " Thou hast a few names even in Sardis 
which have not defiled their garments ; and 
they shall walk with me in white : for they are 
worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall 
be clothed in white raiment ; and I will not 
blot out his name out of the book of life, but I 
will confess his name before my Father, and 
before his angels." No censure was pronounced 
against the church of Philadelphia. It seems 
to have been in a good spiritual condition, and 
was exhorted to hold fast that which it had, that 
none should take its crown. The church at 
Laodicea was the last addressed, and its condi- 
tion appears to have been quite deplorable. 
The Saviour represented it to be like tepid 
water, which, being neither cold nor hot, is sick- 
ening to the palate, and consequently is cast 
out of the mouth. So he declared that unless 
this church should repent and do its first work 
over again, he would cast it away as a worth- 
less and disagreeable thing. 

The messages to these churches are very 
14 



210 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLL . 

striking and instructive. They show with what 
tender solicitude the Saviour watches over his 
people, and they also remind us how perfectly 
he is acquainted with every particular of their 
condition. How kindly does he enumerate and 
commend all their excellences, how affection- 
ately encourage and admonish them to strength- 
en the things that remain, and are ready to pe- 
rish ! 

" Yes, as a bird each fond endearment tries, 
To tempt its new fledged offspring to the skies, 
He tries each art, reproves each dull delay, 
Allures to brighter worlds, and leads the way." 

But last of all, he solemnly and fearfully ad- 
monishes them of the doom, the dreadful doom 
of apostacy. 

Dear reader, as the Saviour spoke to the 
members of the seven churches of Asia, so he 
speaks to you. " Behold I stand at the door 
and knock : if any man hear my voice and open 
the door, I will come in to him, and sup with 
him, and he with me." That is, I will come 
and enter his heart, and he shall hold heavenly 
communion with me, the fountain of blessed- 
ness. What a gracious promise ! How full 
of mercy ! Yield up your heart to him, dear 
reader, this moment, and secure to yourself the 
peace, the comfort, and the everlasting blessed- 
ness which he waits to impart. 

After Jesus had finished the messages for 
the seven churches, he went on to show John 
those things which should befall the church 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 211 

general in the ages to come. He revealed to 
him the apostacy which would take place be- 
fore the final and general spread of Christian- 
ity ; and carrying his mind forward far down 
the line of time, showed him the great and 
wonderful events which were to take place. 
Visions of glory also opened before him, lead- 
ing him up before the throne of God, There 
he saw his once crucified Master, now returned 
to his glory, and receiving the adoration of ad- 
miring millions. There he heard the redeemed 
singing, " Worthy is the Lamb that was slain 
to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and 
strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing, 
For thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to 
God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and 
tongue, and people, and nation ; and hast made 
us unto our God kings and priests." 

During this vision, one of the heavenly beings 
said to John, " What are these which are ar- 
rayed in white robes, and whence came they ?" 
John replied, " Sir, thou knowest." He then 
said, " These are they which came out of great 
tribulation, and have washed their robes, and 
made them white in the blood of the Lamb, 
Therefore are they before the throne of God, 
and serve him day and night in his temple : and 
he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among 
them. They shall hunger no more, neither 
thirst any more ; neither shall the sun light on 
them, nor any heat. For the Lamb, which is 
in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and 



212 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

shall lead them unto living fountains of waters : 
and God shall wipe away all tears from their 
eyes." 

The vision drew to a close by a general invi- 
tation to all to come and accept the provision of 
mercy which Jesus had made for a perishing 
world, and then finally ended with these solemn 
words : " For I testify unto every man that hear- 
eth the words of the prophecy of this book, If 
any man shall add unto these things, God shall 
add Unto him the plagues that are written in the 
book : and if any man shall take away from the 
words of the book of this prophecy, God shall 
take away his part out of the book of life, and 
out of the holy city, and from the things which 
are written in this book." 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

John returns from Patmos — His Gospel and Epistles. 

John is supposed to have remained in Pat- 
mos nearly two years. The emperor Domitian 
being slain in the year 96, those whom he had 
banished were permitted by Nerva, his succes- 
sor, to return to their homes. Availing them- 
selves of the glad tidings of their release, many 
were seen with joyful countenances returning 
from their various places of exile to greet their 
families and friends. Among this happy num- 
ber was the venerable apostle John. We know 
not that he had any wife or children to welcome 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 213 

him to their embrace. But the church of Christ 
was his family, and its members doubtless ga- 
thered around him, hailing his arrival as that 
of a father beloved, and shedding over him tears 

^ joy- 
It is supposed that about this time he wrote his 
gospel at Ephesus, that being the place to which 
he again repaired on leaving Patmos. The 
other three gospels had been written long be- 
fore. 

It is supposed that the elders and pastors of 
the churches at Ephesus, and other cities of 
Asia, presented a united request to John to 
write another history of the life of Christ. Ire- 
naeus, bishop of Lyons, and a disciple of Poly- 
carp, who was a disciple of John himself, says 
that a person by the name of Cerinthus had 
taught certain errors in the church respecting 
the character of Christ, and that to cut off these 
errors John wrote his gospel. Both of these 
accounts may be true, but another point is much 
more important, that is, that John was inspired 
to write this history by Jesus himself. There 
seem to have been two leading objects in view 
in its composition. First, to guard the church 
against those false teachers who denied the di- 
vinity of the Saviour. Already men had begun 
to arise " speaking perverse things, and denying 
the Lord that bought them" John therefore be- 
gan his gospel by declaring that Jesus, whom 
he called the Logos, or Word, was in the 
beginning with God, and that the Word 
was God. That he was the universal Crea- 



214 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



tor, for, said he," All things were made by 

HIM, AND WITHOUT HIM WAS NOT ANY THING 
MADE THAT WAS MADE." 

His second object was to record those dis- 
courses of Jesus, and those events in his life, 
which the other evangelists, Matthew, Mark, 
and Luke, had omitted. Among these are those 
inimitably tender and beautiful discourses found 
in the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth chap- 
ters of this gospel, and the afTecting prayer con- 
tained in the seventeenth chapter. 

Among the events related by John, and not 
found in the histories of the other three evan- 
gelists, is the raising of Lazarus from the dead. 
At first it appears very surprising that neither 
Matthew, Mark, nor Luke, should say one word 
of that miracle. It was one of the most touch- 
ing and interesting in its circumstances, and 
convincing in its character, of any that their 
Master had wrought. It was performed near 
to the great city, and at a time when Jerusalem 
and its environs were filled with people from 
all parts of the country, come to celebrate the 
passover. Many witnesses were present, and 
no one even among the most bitter enemies pre- 
tended to deny it. Why then did they not re- 
cord this illustrious miracle ? A passage from 
John will answer this question. " A great num- 
ber of Jews," says he, "knowing that Jesus 
was in Bethany in the house of Lazarus, flock- 
ed thither, not on account of Jesus only, but 
likewise to see Lazarus, whom he had raised 
from the dead. The chief priests therefore 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 215 

determined to kill Lazarus also, because he 
proved the occasion of many Jews forsaking 
them and believing on Jesus." While such 
was the state of feeling toward Lazarus, and 
such his critical situation, to have published the 
miracle in their gospels would have been to 
set up that worthy man and his sisters as marks 
for the malice, not only of the chief priests, but 
of all the enemies of the Christian name. La- 
zarus is said to have lived thirty years after he 
was restored to life. Matthew, Mark, and Luke 
published their gospels in less than twenty after 
that event took place. But John's gospel was 
written many years afterward, when Lazarus 
was dead. Of course, giving an account of the 
miracle could do him no harm. 

Another fact is worthy of remark. All the 
four evangelists mention the slight attempt to 
resist, when Jesus was assaulted in the garden 
of Gethsemane ; and that the high priest's ser- 
vant had an ear cut off. But none except John 
name the person who cut it off. The three 
who wrote first doubtless knew the author of 
that act. But as Peter was alive when they 
wrote, they did not name him. John, writing 
after his death, when the mention of the cir- 
cumstance could do him no harm, tells that it 
was Peter.* 

One very strong reason for writing John's 
gospel has not yet been named. Among the 
apostles he was the only one who kept by his 
Master during s lie whole trial, and followed him 
* CampbelL 



21G LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

to the cross. He was the only apostle who 
watched every event, and remained by the body 
until life was extinct. It was very proper there- 
fore that John should publish a history of these 
important events of which he was an eye witness. 

When this gospel was first published it must 
have been hailed with great joy. The pastors, 
and pious members of the churches which John 
had planted, and which he so frequently visited, 
had doubtless often heard him relate many of 
the events and discourses which are narrated 
in it, and now that he was old, and could stay 
with them but a little while, they had been very 
anxious to have these things in writing. No 
doubt they had often wept with delight while 
John had been talking to them of Jesus, and 
describing such scenes as that at the grave of 
Lazarus, and at the cross. In John's simple, 
artless, and affectionate manner, they had seen 
Jesus depicted as though then before them. 
They saw as it were his dignity of person and 
manner, his mildness and condescension, his 
unequalled wisdom, the attractiveness of his 
address, and the authority of his whole demean- 
our. The scenes in which he was surrounded 
by the eager multitudes who were listening to 
his discourses, or looking with astonishment at 
the wonders he performed, were drawn before 
them. These scenes the disciples of John wished 
to have committed to writing, that they might 
seize upon them and not allow them to escape. 
This desire was now gratified, and the precious 
record was greeted with great joy. 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 217 

The apostle also favoured his brethren with 
some other writings. These consisted of three 
letters, which form a part of the New Testa- 
ment, and are called the first, second, and third 
epistles of John. The first appears to be in- 
tended as an address to the Christian church 
of that, and all succeeding ages. His great ob- 
ject in this letter seems to be to refine and 
warm his brethren into that amiable charity 
and love which glowed so delightfully in his 
own heart. The book bears throughout the 
stamp of an artless and amiable simplicity, a 
singular modesty and candour, and a most inti- 
mate acquaintance with the deep things of 
God. 

The second epistle is very short, but con- 
tains important admonitions against those false 
doctrines and false teachers who were spring- 
ing up in the church. It also, like John's other 
writings, zealously inculcates the great princi- 
ple of Christian love. This letter was inscribed 
to a pious and excellent Christian lady. It 
seems that this lady was favoured with one of 
the greatest blessings which a mother can en- 
joy. Her children had grown up around her, 
and were, like herself, the disciples of Jesus. 
John tells her of his great joy in learning that 
they were walking in the truth. My dear read- 
er, have your minister and your Christian 
friends the same reason for rejoicing over you ? 
Are you, too, walking in the truth, and hating 
every false way ? " Happy is he who is in 



218 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 



such a case : yes, happy is that person whose 
God is the Lord." 

One thing in this epistle is very important. 
John tells this pious lady to beware of those 
who corrupt the truth. He charges her not to 
admit the teachers or promoters of error into 
her house. She was not to allow them to bring 
their seducing doctrines into her family. John 
had learned this sentiment very soon after he 
became a Christian. He had heard his Master 
say of false teachers, in a most solemn manner, 
" Go ye not after them." This is his lan- 
guage to us, and he who disregards it, breaks 
a most positive and weighty command of his 
Saviour. He goes without his protection, and 
is in danger of being left to the delusions of 
the bad principles to which he disobediently 
opens his ears. 

John's third epistle was inscribed to an emi- 
nent Christian disciple, named Gaius. From 
this too, it appears, that this holy and venerable 
apostle found his latter days imbittered by the 
bad conduct of false teachers. There was one 
Diotrephes in particular, who behaved very 
insolently toward John, and occasioned much 
mischief in the church. But it was cheering 
to the apostle in the midst of these trials to 
have such friends as Gaius, whose house, and 
heart, and purse, and influence were all ready 
to be employed in promoting the interests of 
religion. John says to him, " I rejoiced greatly 
when the brethren came and testified of the 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 219 

truth that is in thee ; for I have no greater joy 
than to hear that my children walk in truth. 
Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou 
doest to brethren and to strangers, which have 
borne witness of thy charity before the church." 
He then makes affectionate mention of those 
brethren, who, for the love of Christ, had left 
their homes, possessions, and callings, to 
preach the gospel to the Gentiles. He com- 
mends Gaius for supplying their wants, and 
thus enabling them to preach to the heathen 
without charge, by which means all suspicion 
of their being influenced by selfish motives was 
removed. Thus we see that John approved the 
same plan which is followed by the missiona- 
ries and missionary societies of the present day. 
They send the preacher and the Bible to the 
heathen, on the principle of disinterested bene- 
volence. And what could be more effectual in 
subduing their prejudices and winning their 
affections, than to see men come out of pure 
charity to labour for their good ? 

CHAPTER XXXII. 
Conclusion. 

The life of John now drew near its close. 
The good man was aware of this, and began to 
make his last visits to the churches. He ap- 
peared among them a venerable old man, full 
of days and honours, and just on the verge of 



220 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

heaven. His eye was lighted up with joy, and 
the smile of hope and triumph played upon his 
lips. The time of his departure was at hand : 
he had " fought the good fight, and kept the 
faith; and knew that for him a crown of right- 
eousness was laid up, which the Lord, the 
righteous Judge, would give him in that day." 

At length, it is said, his strength failed, and 
his aged limbs could no longer support him to 
the house of God. Still he loved the assembly 
of God's saints, and was unwilling to remain at 
home while they were assembling in the sanc- 
tuary. When the sabbath returned, his brethren 
bore him to the church, and he still joined in 
the public devotions. What a reproof does such 
an example give to those indolent persons who 
are glad of any excuse to spend the Lord's day 
in sleep or idleness ! Finally, he could no lon- 
ger address the people, but simply said, "Little 
children, love one another" This short sentence 
is of itself a commentary upon the life and re- 
ligion of John. Perhaps no patriarch, prophet, 
or apostle ever exhibited more of the beauty of 
holiness than he. " Thou shalt love the Lord 
thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbour 
as thyself," is the great law of the New Tes- 
tament, and this was the practical law of John's 
life. Love was his theme in the pulpit : love 
burned and glowed on every page of his 
writings : love shone out in his example ; and 
love formed the master spring of all his actions. 
And now when age has crept over all his pow- 
ers ; when his limbs totter, and eloquence has 



LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 221 

died upon his tongue ; when the soul can only 
command a few tremulous accents ; we hear — 
like the sweet sounds of music dying away up- 
on our ear — "Little children, love oj\ t e an- 
other." Here we see the Christian religion 
in its own inimitable loveliness. We behold 
it bearing this holy man through a long, active, 
and useful life, and shining out with mild radi- 
ance in old age and the near approach of death. 
Look at the scenes through which this honour- 
ed servant of God had passed. See him, with 
his Master, at the feeding of the five thousand. 
Behold him on the lake, in the fury of the 
storm. Go with him to the room where Jairus's 
daughter is raised from the dead. Accompany 
him to the grave of Lazarus. Listen, with him, 
to the discourses of his Master, and accompany 
him to the cross. Then follow him to prison, 
and before the council, and to the temple again. 
Finally, to Ephesus, and the cities of Asia 
Minor ; to Patmos, and again to Ephesus. In 
all these scenes behold how instructive, con- 
vincing, supporting, and comforting his religion ! 
It enlarges his understanding, it subdues evil 
passions, it banishes fear, it rectifies his will, it 
purifies his motives, and wraps his whole soul 
in a flame of love. Finally, having exalted him 
from the humble station of a fisherman to that 
of an apostle, and given him a name and a fame 
more durable than time, it lights up the smile 
of triumph upon his dying brow, and opens be- 
fore him visions of celestial glory. To live was 
Christ, to die is gain. 



222 LIFE OF JOHN THE APOSTLE. 

About the year one hundred John took his 
departure from earth, and followed his Master 
to paradise. The words which he recorded in 
Patmos, at the command of Jesus, were never 
more applicable than to his own death : " I heard 
a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, 
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord 
from henceforth : Yea, saith the Spirit, that they 
may rest from their labours ; and their ivorks do 
follow them? 



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